David McCann is hoping to emulate some of his Ireland U20 grand slam winning colleagues by stepping up to play for Andy Farrell’s senior international team.
McCann was part of the age grade Ireland side that achieved a clean sweep in 2019 with the likes of Ryan Baird and Craig Casey.
A year later, Ireland, with McCann as captain and lock Joe McCarthy in the side, had won their opening three games before the U20 Six Nations was postponed due to Covid.
McCann was one of Ulster’s stand out players at the start of the season but missed two months due to injury ending any chance of a Six Nations call-up.
“It is impressive because they have really kicked on, they have sort of been around the squad the last few years and to see them especially Joe McCarthy who was in one of my years at 20s he is really having an impact on the game,” said McCann
“It is impressive to see, and it does drive you on.”
“I loved playing for Ireland underage and that is something that I want to do at senior level.”
“Watching how well Ireland are playing really drives you on but it is a real competitive environment, so you want to get in there and try your hand.”
McCann believes Ireland will win back-to-back grand slams for the first time in their history.
“I think they have definitely put their foot forward for it now beating France away, three games left I think they will do it, so it is exciting so it’s exciting to watch.”
The former RBAI captain feels he can improve his own game at Ulster by watching the likes of Josh van der Flier and Caelan Dorris.
“If you think about the parts of your game that you are not good at and you watch other people that are really good at them on tv or in the squad you try to add that and be really good at what you already do or become more rounded.”
“I did both those things, so I think that was the key.”
“If you watch the Irish back rows, they are really good the ones that play in the team, they are really good at what they do especially the break down work, just little things so if you watch them very closely it is a pretty good place to start.”
Ulster return to action on Sunday in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday against the Ospreys a month after conceding 95 points in their last two games and exiting the Champions Cup.
“The break gives a period to reflect which is always good, you might not want to think about a bad loss for too long, it is good to reflect and see individually and where the team can improve, so it was good and productive during that period, a few conversations with coaches and other players so it should stand us in good stead.”
“We all watched the games afterwards and we analysed individually, team and coaches will have their points to highlight, so we have looked at them reviewed them on an individual and team basis so we are hoping to bring those things and improve on those areas of our play.”
“I think there is a huge onus on the players to take responsibility because at the end of the day we are the ones on the pitch, and it is us out there putting the product so we do need to take responsibility in that sense and we drive ultimately where the team ends up in the league.”