Holland Keen To Continue Rise

Johnny Holland became the latest academy player to break into the first team when he made his Munster debut as a substitute against Cardiff Blues in November.

On the back of two SEAT Series appearances in the summer, Holland made his first competitive appearance in Wales and the Corkman is expected to feature for Munster A on Friday night at St. Mary’s RFC when they host Nottingham in a crucial B&I Cup clash.

The 22-year-old was the matchwinner when the sides met earlier in the season as he landed a decisive last-minute conversion to down the Championship side at Meadow Lane.

The out-half moved up from the sub academy to the academy at the start of last season and his impressive club and Munster A form was rewarded in Cardiff and he’s keen for more first team action.

“It was a big experience, that’s what we’re all here for, to play the first game and try to kick on after that. I didn’t get much ball or anything like that but that’s not what it’s about, I just wanted to get my first one out of the way and try to kick on after that,” he said.

Holland is targeting Friday’s match against Nottingham as another opportunity to prove his credentials and move Munster A closer to the B&I Cup quarter finals but he also has long-term ambitions in the first team after his meteoric rise in the last six months.

“I’d be letting myself down if I didn’t say I wanted to be the starting 10 for Munster but that’s a bit down the line. There’s competition for places at 10 with JJ [Hanrahan] and [Ian] Keatley, they’re doing well but I don’t plan to be behind them for the rest of my career.

“It has happened quickly, I was probably fifth choice – if you could even call it that – last year. I was involved in a few A games but not much really and then ROG left and Scott Deasy went and it just opened up a bit of a gap for me, so it’s probably been quick enough but it’s something I’m getting used to anyway.”

Holland is midway through his second season in the academy and is seeing the benefits of the programme in his own game although it’s not all plain-sailing.

“It’s great for development, you put in a lot of hours and sometimes you question if it’s worth it – it’s hard financially and stuff like that – but it’s definitely worth it if you’re thinking of a career in rugby.

“You have to go through that – everybody goes through it nowadays – that’s where the game has gotten to, you have to get through your academy years and prove that you’re good enough.”

Holland plays in the AIL with Cork Constitution and was awarded the Ulster Bank Young Player of the Year Award for Division 1A last season.

His involvement in both the B&I Cup and the AIL means that he is in the perfect place to compare the standards of both competitions.

“The biggest difference is organisation, obviously players are professional once you get to the B&I Cup but their size doesn’t change much.

"What they do with their size might change but a lot of it is organisation and fellas use their head a bit more but there’s not that much of a step-up.

"Club players would definitely be able for it and we’ve proven it, we’ve brought in club players from time to time, they’ve played B&I Cup games and they’ve played A games with us against provincial sides and that proves that there’s not too much of a step-up there and it’s definitely achievable by a lot more players.”

Munster A host Nottingham at St. Mary's RFC on Friday at 7:30pm

Adult tickets can be purchased online here and will also be available at St. Mary's RFC from 4pm on the day.

Offers:

MRSC Members Free of Charge (On production of membership card)
10 Year Ticket holders – Free of Charge (On production of 10 Year ticket)

Pricing:

€;10 Adult, €;3 Junior, €;20 Family Pack (2 Adults & 2 Juniors)
Junior – 16 or under