Patience pays off as Timoney proves he belongs

Nick Timoney has had to show a lot of patience to prove he belongs at international level, finally making his Six Nations debut in Ireland's Triple Crown-winning campaign.

The 30-year-old has been a squad member in the Irish set-up since 2021 but with huge competition in the back row he has had to bide his time for regular action in the green shirt.

This year's tournament heralded a sea change not just for Timoney but for a number of his Ulster team-mates, including the impressive Stuart McCloskey, as they played a key role in Ireland's success and the Dublin-native is pleased to have made a contribution.

"For all these years when you've been waiting and hoping to play in the Six Nations games you tell yourself that if you did get your chance you'd be amazing and it would all go well, but until it actually happens you're kind of bluffing a little bit," he said.

"So it was great for me personally as I put an incredible amount of hard work into what I do, as does everyone else.

"To actually get the opportunity to prove that I belong at that level was amazing for me on a personal note and I feel for the most part I did a reasonable job at it."

The Ulster back row came off the bench in the opening three rounds, including a try-scoring appearance in the opening night 36-14 defeat by France, before being handed a first tournament start in the win over Wales along with six other club mates.

Timoney came off the bench again as Ireland secured the Triple Crown with a convincing home win over Scotland, and even though Thomas Ramos' last-gasp penalty meant title joy for France it failed to dampen the forward's spirits as he looks to carry that feel-good factor into Ulster's remaining games this season.

"It was an incredibly enjoyable few weeks although there would have been even more of an afterglow if the French didn't hit an 80th-minute winner against the English," he said.

"It was a great experience and great for us as a club with Stu looking like he's the star of things and Rob Baloucoune being amazing, as well as Tom O'Toole and the other lads getting a game.

"Having seven lads feature in the Wales game was fantastic too. That's got to be the most for a good few years and it's hard not to be buzzing with it."

After basking in Triple Crown glory with Ireland Timoney made his return in an Ulster shirt in last week's United Rugby Championship win over Zebre as they took a step closer to securing a play-off slot.

The Challenge Cup takes centre stage on Saturday evening as Ospreys visit the Affidea Stadium (20:00 GMT) and Timoney is determined to step up to do all he can to help Ulster realise the opportunity they have this season.

"I've always thought that if you are an international player then there's got to be a notice on you to be one of the top performers and leaders at provincial level," he said.

"I'm certainly taking that incredibly seriously. This has been a whole rugby gig for me for most of my entire career and I don't ever take it for granted.

"We have a chance this season to hopefully go far in the competitions and show what we're about. We have an exciting young squad and it has been very enjoyable to be part of that this season.

"Our progress and that of the young players coming through has been amazing. We're into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup and we're in a good position in the league as well. If we can win our next few games we'll be heading into the play-offs. It's exciting times.

"We've shown an incredible brand of rugby at times this year and we've played some nice attacking stuff and nice bits here and there, but when there is that jeopardy and the pressure is on it's about showing belief that if we keep playing this way, and do it properly and do it well then we'll win games.

"That's the main challenge, it's not going into our shell because there's a tournament on the line. We have to show that belief and really back ourselves. The win over Zebre at the weekend has kept it going so hopefully we'll keep some momentum into the Ulster season."