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20th November 2019
03:00pm GMT

Still, it would be another year before Joe Schmidt handed him his Test debut and another year before he made his second Ireland appearance. There were six more outings since then but only one start (against the USA in 2018). Both Connacht and Ulster fans, having seen him week-in, week-out, were perplexed by his continued omissions but Schmidt had his favourites.
And so Cooney missed out on Japan, and another World Cup, but he has got straight back to work and kept busy. He has played in all seven of Ulster's games this season (starting six times), scored three tries and picked up a couple more man of the match awards.
On the latest episode of Baz & Andrew's House of Rugby, Barry Murphy, Andrew Trimble and Jerry Flannery looked back on Ulster's superb Champions Cup start and spoke of Cooney's influence within the team.
"Ulster dug in and they showed a lot of character," said Trimble. "They didn't have a lot of ball but they were pretty clinical when they did get it. They turned a lot of ball over too, but they just couldn't hold onto it.
"They looked really dangerous in their phase play and the set-piece was really good. It was a bit of a concern with Marty Moore going off and Jack McGrath going off with his thumb injury. Eric O'Sullivan came on for him and was solid. He did exactly what he did all last season. Alan O'Connor, who came on for Sam Carter, was brilliant... Marcell Coetzee was ridiculous." "Cooney's try was crucial," Trimble added. "He's just producing the goods every time he goes out there."On Friday, Ulster must juggle their squad again to cope with injuries as Clermont Auvergne come to Belfast for another high stakes Champions Cup encounter. Cooney will be there, No.9 on his back, calling the shots and backing himself to make the big plays. For Cooney, the change from Joe Schmidt to Andy Farrell as head coach of the national team may represent a change in Irish tactics, personnel, and a fresh start. A chance to come out of the shadows.
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