A handful of years ago Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune was preparing for college life in England and watching the Six Nations with mates in a pub.
Fast forward and the 24-year-old is part of Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad ahead of next month’s commencement of the latest edition of the famous old tournament.
It has been quite a journey for Baloucoune who was togging out for Enniskillen in the 2017 Towns Cup final before being snapped up by the Ulster Academy.
A sliding doors moment that worked to everyone’s advantage.
“Until I got into the academy, I didn’t really see rugby as an option,” said Baloucoune, ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Clermont in Belfast.
“I was actually planning to go to Nottingham University to do Sports Science. But then I got my academy contract the week before…”
Now regarded as one of the most potent wingers in Ireland, Baloucoune is eager to make a rapid impact, in every sense of the word, in the Six Nations in the weeks ahead.
Ireland kick-off their campaign at home to Wales on February 5 before travelling to face the French in Paris the following weekend.
Baloucoune, who scored on his international debut against USA before winning his second cap against Argentina in November, said: “It’s always nice to get the opportunity to play (for Ireland) so to get more exposure in that environment would be great.
“I always enjoyed the Six Nations and I would have watched it a few years ago with friends - probably in a pub, to be honest!
“It would be an honour to play in it and more exposure in the Six Nations would be a great experience.”
Of immediate concern to Baloucoune is helping Ulster conclude their Champions Cup group campaign on a winning note against Clermont on Saturday.
With three wins from three in Pool A, a fourth victory would go a long way to ensuring a top seeding and potential home quarter-final should they advance beyond the round of 16.
Baloucoune, who made a try-scoring return from injury in last Sunday’s 24-20 win at Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens, said: “It’s a good target for us and it would be huge.
“It’s hard to beat home advantage at the Kingspan in terms of the pressure it takes off you and it’s good for us as a squad to aim for that.
“It’s definitely all to play for this weekend and I think Dan (McFarland) has made that clear in training this week.”
