Ireland vs Wales: Nick Timoney is happy his perseverance has paid off

Talent has never been in doubt, but a Six Nations appearance has eluded Nick Timoney until this year, and while the 30-year-old has yet to start for Ireland in the competition, the back row insists he “doesn’t worry too much about the number I have on my back”.

The Ulster back-rower made his debut against the United States in 2021, but by the start of 2025, he had made just four further appearances, including two against the Maori All Blacks.

However, perseverance is starting to pay off, and after featuring against Georgia, Japan and Australia last year, Timone was introduced as a substitute in each of the three matches in the 2026 Six Nations, where he tried to get through in the opening defeat to France.

While the Dublin native would prefer to start when Ireland host Wales on Friday [20:10 GMT]He’s happy to play his role, and if that’s better than being on the bench, so be it.

“Obviously I haven’t played in the Six Nations before this season, which is something I’ve always dreamed of, and obviously from that point of view I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunities,” he told reporters this week.

“Everyone wants to start and I like to start too. A lot of people say to me, friends and family, they say, ‘You’ve been going well off the bench, when are you going to start?’ Obviously I like to start but it still feels like I’m playing a game.”

“If you played for 30 minutes at Twickenham you could say the game wasn’t necessarily in the balance at that stage but it’s a very important part of things.

“I’ve always tried not to worry too much about selection, but the fact that the coaches are supporting me to be in the team and start doing what I’ve always dreamed of, I don’t worry too much about the number I have on my back.”