Gaelic background has helped Ulster’s Bill Johnston development in rugby

The Ulster No.10 spent his days growing up in Tipperary playing both sports but he always saw his future lying with the oval ball.

“I don’t think gaelic was ever really an option, I wasn’t good enough at football, to be honest, I was a pretty good defender and had some pretty good smarts but just with the ball skills, I wasn’t able to compete with lads who played 12 months a year, my heart always lay with rugby,” said Johnston.

“Rugby was the winter sport and probably around about springtime I’d be finishing the rugby season and my mum and dad would start getting texts (from GAA) asking ‘when’s Bill coming back?’

“I’d kinda go back reluctantly, to be honest, I always wanted to give rugby my biggest shot because I just enjoyed it more.”

Johnston left his native Munster to join Ulster at the start of the 2019.

Reflecting on the move, he said: “Daunting wouldn’t be the word, particularly here. The lads are an amazing group, the age profile helped me settle in quite a lot because a lot of the guys are under 25, 26, so you’re able to associate with them straight away, but I’d say even more particularly the older lads are really responsive and really look out for you, particularly as a new fella.

“My job then is to earn their respect through my training, how I carry myself, and that’s just an ongoing process. I just want to play as hard as I can for them and be a good team-mate. The rest will take care of itself.”

Johnston is on the bench for Monday’s Pro14 clash in Edinburgh (8.15pm) and is joined in the replacements by Rainey hooker Brad Roberts and former sprinter Aaron Sexton, both will made their Ulster debuts if called upon.

Prop Andy Warwick makes his first start of the season.

Ulster: (15-9) Michael Lowry, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Rob Lyttle, Ian Madigan, John Cooney.

(1-8): Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Capt.), Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Kyle McCall, Gareth Milasinovich, David O’Connor, David McCann, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Aaron Sexton.

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