Rising star Ethan McIlroy has gone from being a “surprised” teenager on his debut to being one of the first names on Dan McFarland’s team sheet.
It is just over two years since McElroy earned his first Ulster cap for the province in a 54-42 defeat to Leinster at the RDS in December 2019.
The versatile back was a part of Ulster’s sub Academy at the time but grasped his chance in a sliding doors moment for his young career.
“I was grateful to get the opportunity,” recalled McIlroy ahead of Friday night's URC clash with Connacht at the Kingspan Stadium.
“It maybe came as a bit of a surprise, but during that whole week the coaches said ‘do your thing, get the ball in your hands and have a go’.
“I was playing confident rugby coming out of school (Methody) so I didn’t think of it as any different from just another game. Hopefully it went alright.”
A positive early impression was made, McIlroy hit the ground running and he is now one of Ulster’s go-to backs.
The winger, who can also play at full-back, has amassed most minutes of McFarland’s panel this season - 704 - and has started all 13 games in the URC and Champions Cup.
“Getting a bit of game time helps you,” he said. “If you’re playing back-to-back, you’ll quite often find a bit more form and get more comfortable.
“You’ll be more confident within your game. Our attacking coach Sopes (Dan Soper) also encourages us to play with speed, get the ball to the edges and have a crack.
“It encourages me to get the ball in hand and have a go.”
McIlroy, still only 21, has also benefited from the advice of other ‘back three’ players, including senior players Craig Gilroy, Will Addison and Jacob Stockdale.
“I get on really well with all the other guys,” he said. “I was quite quiet coming out of school, but they’re all so nice and really funny and approachable.
“I’ve no problem going up to them to ask for advice on any part of my game. They’re good examples to learn off and they’ve been a big influence.”
With Robert Baloucoune, Michael Lowry and James Hume earning recent call-ups to Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad, McIlroy is eager to follow in his teammates’ footsteps.
“I’d love to play for Ireland and that’s definitely where I’m trying to get to,” he said. “It’s good to see the other young guys there, so hopefully it’s not too far away.”
Of immediate concern to McIlroy and Ulster is Friday night’s rescheduled Interpro with Connacht who inflicted a heavy 36-11 defeat on McFarland’s men at The Aviva in October.
He said: “We didn’t show the best of ourselves in the last game against Connacht, so hopefully in front of our home crowd, we’ll get the job done this time.”
McFarland is boosted by the release from Ireland duty of Lowry and Baloucoune, while Stuart McCloskey makes a welcome return from injury.
