Holland Set For 100

Should he be included in Anthony Foley’s matchday squad to face Connacht this week, second row Billy Holland will be in line to win his 100th cap for Munster.

In doing so, Billy will become the sixth player of the current squad to reach the 100 cap milestone for the province, alongside Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Denis Hurley, Donnacha Ryan and Damien Varley.

As a schools player he won Junior and Senior Cup medals with Christian Brothers College Cork and represented Munster Schools before going on to represent the province at U19 and U21 level.

A product of the Munster Rugby Academy, Billy made his senior competitive debut alongside Tommy O’Donnell in September 2007 against Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park and impressive performances in subsequent seasons saw him awarded Academy Player of the Year in 2008 and promoted to a full contract in the summer of 2009.

The former UCC and current Cork Constitution clubman played on the Munster side narrowly defeated by New Zealand in 2008 and also played a central role in the defeat of the touring Australians two years later.

A number of months previous to the Australia clash, Billy made his European debut against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park in the quarter final of the 2010 Heineken Cup.

One of Munster’s most consistent performers through the seasons, 2012/13 represented a big year for the Corkman as he featured for Munster in every PRO12 game (starting 14 and coming on as a replacement in 8) as well as making four Heineken Cup appearances including his first European start against Racing Metro in Paris. Billy was subsequently named the IRUPA Unsung Hero for that season.

Still a central figure and leader amongst the squad, the 29 year old continues to captain Munster on occasion and to date this season has made 11 appearances, playing the full 80 minutes on 9 of those representations.

Most recently, an imposing performance – which included two line out steals – on St. Stephens Day saw Billy more than play his part in Munster’s Guinness PRO12 win over Leinster.

On top of this appearance milestone in the Munster senior ranks, Billy previously brought his leadership qualities to the Munster A side, captaining them to British & Irish Cup success in 2011/12.

Billy is presented The John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year in 2008 by Dr. Paul McCarthy and Ian Sherwin.

Captaining Munster A to B&I Cup success in 2012.