Zebo confident of ending six-year Ireland hiatus
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Zebo confident of ending six-year Ireland hiatus

Ireland and Munster rugby player Simon Zebo has claimed that if he plays to the best of his abilities, he can compete at any level of rugby 

Last week, Ireland lost both Jimmy O'Brien and Mack Hansen to injuries, meaning they will miss the 2024 Six Nations.

A number of players have been lined up to replace Hansen and O'Brien. The players mentioned are Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour, Calvin Nash, Robert Baloucoune, and Zebo, who has not played for Ireland since 2017.

The 33-year-old, who can play on the wing or at fullback, has been in fine form for Munster this year and states that he is confident that the best version of Zebo can compete with some of the world's best once again.

"You'd never know," he said to RTÉ Sport when asked about an Ireland recall. "I'm fully focused on just [trying to] keep playing well for Munster; you don't want to count your chickens.

"I just want to keep playing well, keep getting my hands on the ball, show what I can do, and try to help Munster as best I can. I know if I'm fit and healthy, I can mix it with anyone, so I've just got to keep putting my best foot forward. That's the goal.

Ireland's Simon Zebo [Picture: Inpho]
"I'm very confident in my ability; I always have been. I know that if I'm playing to the best of my ability, I can play at any level."

However, Zebo's main goal is to perform well for Munster, and whatever comes after that will be a result of his hard work at the provincial level.

"I've just got to focus on keeping playing well for Munster, and that's my goal. We have a lot of quality players here, and the competition is high. I've got to do my best to keep playing quality rugby, and whatever happens, happens," he added.

"But no matter what the level, the bigger the game is when I tend to play my best rugby.

"I've got full confidence in myself, and hopefully I can keep playing as much as possible and stay healthy, so that's the main goal."