Is the Ulster forward with farmer's strength Ireland's next big star?

McNabney's route into the Ireland set-up is not the traditional path taken by most players.

Growing up on a farm in Ballymena, he did not watch a lot of rugby growing up and only started playing in school. At the time, horses were his focus.

Long before he had even dreamt of becoming a professional rugby player, he had represented Northern Ireland and Great Britain's equestrian teams.

"I rode horses from when I was about six until I was 16," he said.

"Horses was sort of a main hobby, then it became a sport for me."

At 16 he was given an ultimatum over his sporting future.