Cormac Izuchukwu has eyes on more milestones after impressive start to the season

It’s been quite a whirlwind last 10 months for Ulster flanker Cormac Izuchukwu.

After an encouraging start to his Ulster career, form hit bit of a speed bump, but from the minute Richie Murphy entered Ulster Rugby HQ last March, Izuchukwu’s career has been on a steady rise.

Izzy, as he is more commonly known, was rewarded for some outstanding performances at the tail end of last season with a call-up to Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa.

While not gaining any game time, the experience was something to behold and the Tullamore native was hell-bent on making sure that it wasn’t to be his last call-up.

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And it wasn’t long before he was wearing the green of Ireland. Again South Africa was the venue as Izuchukwu was lining out for the Emerging Ireland squad.

His performances on that tour saw him receive another phone call from Andy Farrell. This time for the November internationals and against Fiji Izzy gained his first full cap.

A proud moment for him and his family who were all there for his big day in the Aviva Stadium.

“Yeah. They were there and it was really special,” said Izuchukwu.

“Standing out there and when they start singing the anthems and stuff it hits you then and you can feel the power of the crowd and stuff with the lads beside you.

“And obviously having my family there and they’re not massively into rugby. I think I’m the only one that has actually played rugby in my family. It was really special. It was unbelievable.”

And he hopes it won’t be long before he claims cap number two despite breaking protocol the first time round as he explains.

“I was actually supposed to wear it out that night for the function and to the dinner and stuff and I gave it to my Mum and she took it down, so I got a bit of stick for that. It’s safe in Tullamore anyway.”

It all capped off a remarkable last number of months for the former Sevens’ player.

It has even taken the modest Offaly man by surprise at what he has achieved this year. After hitting a number of milestones recently, ‘Izzy’ is now looking forward to ticking another box by making his home Champions cup debut against Bordeaux-Bégles this afternoon.

“I’m still hitting them milestones.

“That was my first game last week so that was special. And my first home game here this week so that’s another challenge for me. That’s something I’ve never experienced before. A home game in the Kingspan. Like I can’t wait for that and I’m still having those moments. So hopefully they keep coming.

“I’ve surprised myself how fast it’s come. I think every player believes their good enough (well I hope so anyway). But for me it’s how quick and fast they’ve come. These moments keep coming and it’s something new to experience that I haven’t before.

“So, it’s been a real surprise how fast it has come.”