Paris 2024: Ulster’s Robert Baloucoune ‘raring’ for Olympic likelihood with Eire sevens

Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune says he’s “raring” for the chance to compete on the Paris Olympics with the Eire males’s sevens crew.

Final yr, the Irish Rugby Soccer Union stated 4 gamers from the Irish provinces could be given a shot at making the sevens crew for Paris.

“It has undoubtedly crossed my thoughts,” Baloucoune instructed BBC Sport NI.

“It will be a terrific alternative to play within the Olympics. I actually loved sevens at any time when I used to be taking part in. It was my first step into skilled sport.

“It is a terrific group of lads as effectively, they’re a terrific crew so it is at all times been behind my thoughts, nevertheless it’s simply relying on sections and stuff like that.

“I’m undoubtedly raring for the chance. Clearly, it is dependent upon sure accidents and the way the physique is and on our circumstances right here, but when the chance arises I am undoubtedly keen to go.”

The Eire sevens aspect will compete at their second consecutive Olympics having completed tenth on their debut on the Tokyo Video games in 2021, whereas the Irish girls’s sevens will make their maiden look in Paris.

Baloucoune, who made his senior Ulster debut in 2018, stated there was “small speak” about him linking up with the sevens however “nothing cemented” but.

The four-time Eire 15s worldwide says he dreamed about starring on the Olympics in athletics as a toddler earlier than rugby took over.

“I undoubtedly used to dream about being within the Olympics as a runner at any time when I used to be younger so even simply being part of the Olympics is just about a dream come true.

“Then additionally representing Eire within the Olympics is much more particular simply with household and mates and stuff like that it might be class.”

Baloucoune has scored one attempt in 11 appearances for Ulster this season, however whereas membership team-mate Jacob Stockdale was included in Eire’s Six Nations squad, the Enniskillen-born participant missed out.

“Sure, undoubtedly, clearly with sure conditions,” he stated when requested if he was hopeful of creating the squad for Eire’s Grand Slam defence.

“Mack Hansen was out and some gamers had been out, Jimmy O’Brien as effectively, so I undoubtedly noticed it as a possibility to get again within the squad.

“[That was] clearly not the case however I would not say my performances have been as much as the place I’ve wanted, so it is on me to get again to that stage of efficiency.”

Baloucoune final featured for Eire in November 2022 however insists returning to the worldwide fold stays a major motivator for him whereas admitting that his

“It is clearly an enormous drive for me, it is the place I need to be as effectively, so attempting to grow to be the very best winger that I may be and attempting to achieve that efficiency that I can carry out at, it is undoubtedly an enormous purpose.”

Whereas pulling on the Eire jersey in both the sevens of 15s code might come sooner or later, for now Baloucoune is concentrated on Ulster’s return to United Rugby Championship motion.

Dan McFarland’s aspect journey to Ospreys on Sunday for his or her first recreation since a 47-19 defeat by Harlequins spelled the tip of their disappointing Investec Champions Cup marketing campaign.

“We’ve had fairly a couple of robust conferences,” Baloucoune stated when reflecting on Ulster’s season to date, which has yielded seven wins and 6 defeats within the URC and Champions Cup.

“A couple of arduous discussions as effectively, particularly after the Harlequins recreation the place it was extra about our power and stuff throughout the recreation.

“However we have gone by our element, what we have to do to enhance as a crew and to enhance individually, so it is simply bringing that onto the pitch and bringing every part collectively.”