The former University of the Free State Shimlas centre, Shayne Bolton, has been included in the Irish squad for their upcoming Autumn series. The world’s top-ranked team will play in Tests against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in celebration of 150 years of Irish Rugby.
The former Free State U20 player was included in the Emerging Ireland squad for the recent tour to Bloemfontein, however, he was forced to withdraw after sustaining a laceration to his knee during round one of the URC.
Shayne Bolton – X
Bolton is one of five players in the squad that is there more to gain experience in the system as opposed to being there to play in one of the three Tests. The others are Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy. Kendellen and McCarthy were recently on the tour to Bloemfontein. In addition, Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast were also on the tour, as well as Ireland’s squad for the two Test series against the Springboks in South Africa earlier in the year.
Bolton, who has Irish heritage through his grandmother, said when he moved to Connacht he always wanted to play for Ireland.
“Yeah, I was always close to my granny that comes from Ireland, and I was always aware that my family does come from here,” said Bolton.
“It was really exciting when I got the opportunity, like a lot of people don’t really get the opportunity. So I was really happy and I’m looking forward to trying to make a difference on this side.”
Bolton added that while he was in Bloemfontein and on the radar of the Cheetahs he started losing interest in his studies and grabbed the opportunity when the Connacht coach, Andy Friend, offered him an opportunity in Galway.
“To be honest, I didn’t have too many opportunities back home. I was playing college (Shimlas) rugby, and while I was studying I kind of stopped going to my lectures and I knew I wanted to play rugby after that season.
Shayne Bolton – Gallo
“I didn’t really want to keep on studying, which is maybe not the best, but I knew I wanted to go somewhere and just try and pursue my dreams.
“I was really excited when Andy got in touch and I just wanted to take the opportunity with both hands and give it my best shot.”
Ireland will face the All Blacks on 9 November at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in their first Test of the Autumn Series.
Ireland squad for Autumn Series:
Forwards – Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier
Backs – Bundee Aki, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale
Training Panellists – Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
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