CONOR BYRNE
England U20s full back Conor Byrne balances his time at Harlequins by going back and forth from Exeter University.
The 18-year-old, who is 5ft 11 and 12st 10lbs, also qualifies for South Africa through his parents but says he is too small to play for the Springboks.
Byrne is hoping to make his England U20s debut in the forthcoming World Championship that kicks off later this month. He told The Rugby Paper: “I'm enjoying it a lot. I think I had a decent U19s camp before I came in and I'm having a good time in my first period with the U20s. We've got quite a few lads from Quins here; Zach (Carr), Sean (Kerr) and Clarkey (Ethan Clarke). I'm sharing a room with Clarkey and the fact we get to play together for England now is pretty cool.
“Both my parents are South African and my dad loves rugby. I had to choose between football and rugby when it came to secondary school and chose rugby because my dad's not a fan of the culture in football. I got into Quins at U14s and then got my first cap for England in U16s.
“My dad's happy with me playing for England after growing up and going to school here. I do have a South African passport, but I think I'm too small to play for them. I don't think they cater to my size. I think they like a bit of a beefhead.
Living here and playing for Quins makes it much easier to play for England.”
Byrne progressed through Jonathan Pendlebury's U18s and now flips between the south west and London, managing his studies at Exeter University and playing BUCS Super Rugby, whilst also being in Harlequins' senior academy.
He said: “I was in England U18s for two years and got my shot a lot sooner than I expected. I was taken out to Carcassonne a year before I thought I'd get a chance to play in the Six Nations. It was a good time throughout, especially the first year as we went unbeaten that year with a great group.
“The academy is a lot different. We'd train on a Monday and Thursday then play the academy league on a Saturday but this year I was involved with the first team's preseason.
“I was unfortunate to be injured for most of it, but it was good to see how they play, how they act, how disciplined they are and their diet.
“Quins are very accommodating with my time at Exeter and vice versa. If Quins need me to come up and train with them I can and if I have an exam in Exeter, Quins work around my schedule. I think there was a two-week period were I did 1,000 miles which was a bit horrid but it's got to be done.”
A slight, nimble back, Byrne prides himself on his ability to beat defends with his clever footwork but is hoping to improve his work under the high ball with England. He added: “I've moved from 10 to 15 with spells on the wing, so I've been tested a lot aerially.
“I like to get a lot of extras in after training with the nines just getting the reps in. “Full back is my preferred position going forward. “I feel like at 10 I had a lot of pressure and even though it was just schoolboy rugby, I know I'm better in the backfield being able to run rather than just having to pass and pivot the whole time.”
