ROSS BYRNE has been linked with a move to the English Premiership.
The Leinster and Ireland out-half, 29, is set to join Gloucester, according to the Daily Mail.
Such a switch would bring an end to his international career, with current rules stipulating that only those playing for Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and Connacht are eligible to play for Ireland.
Byrne, who has has 22 caps for the Boys in Green, has not featured since the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up tie against England.
He has also slipped down the pecking order amidst the rise of Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley, and Jack Crowley.
He has also been usurped at Leinster by Frawley and Prendergast.
Both men, as well as Frawley, are with Ireland for the Six Nations, with Crowley and Prendergast battling for the No10 jersey since Johnny Sexton‘s retirement.
The 21-year-old has started in both of Simon Easterby‘s men’s games so far, and was Player of the Match in the win over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Up next is Wales, with Easterby likely to retain Prendergast in the starting out-half berth.
The starting XV will be announced on Thursday, with Ireland carrying a number of significant injuries.
Captain Caelan Doris has joined Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, and Cormac Izuchuckwu on the sidelines.
It means Easterby will have to nominate a new captain, with Peter O’Mahony potentially in line to take the armband back in Cardiff.
Whomever is chosen to take up the mantle, coach Andrew Goodman backed them to fill the void left by the Leinster titan.
He said: “There are some guys that have been playing well for their provinces in those positions and they are ready for an opportunity, so it’s exciting for them.
“There are some good leaders in the squad. We are going through that process.
“Obviously the leadership group has been growing well over the last couple of years and there’s a number of guys who have captained their provinces.
“So we have got some good options to choose from.
“I am sure you guys can probably pick a few names out.
“Guys like Peter O’Mahony and Jack Conan that have captained their provinces.
“Dan Sheehan has, Ringer [Garry Ringrose], JR [James Ryan], Cian Prendergast.
“There are a number of guys with leadership experience, so a few possibilities there.”
