Paris 2024: Ulster's Robert Baloucoune 'raring' for Olympic chance with Ireland sevens

Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune says he is "raring" for the opportunity to compete at the Paris Olympics with the Ireland men's sevens team.

Baloucoune, 26, was previously in the Irish sevens set-up, competing at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Last year, the Irish Rugby Football Union said four players from the Irish provinces would be given a shot at making the sevens team for Paris.

"It has definitely crossed my mind," Baloucoune told BBC Sport NI.

"It would be a great opportunity to play in the Olympics. I really enjoyed sevens whenever I was playing. It was my first step into professional sport.

"It's a great group of lads as well, they're a great team so it's always been in the back of my mind, but it's just depending on sections and stuff like that.

"I am definitely raring for the opportunity. Obviously, it depends on certain injuries and how the body is and on our circumstances here, but if the opportunity arises I'm definitely willing to go."

The Ireland sevens side will compete at their second consecutive Olympics having finished 10th on their debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021, while the Irish women's sevens will make their maiden appearance in Paris.

• Ireland players available for Ulster's Ospreys game

• 'A rollercoaster season so far' - Ulster's half-term report

• Ireland beat GB to qualify for 2024 Olympic Games

Baloucoune, who made his senior Ulster debut in 2018, said there has been "small talk" about him linking up with the sevens but "nothing cemented" yet.

The four-time Ireland 15s international says he dreamed about starring at the Olympics in athletics as a child before rugby took over.

"I definitely used to dream about being in the Olympics as a runner whenever I was young so even just being a part of the Olympics is pretty much a dream come true.

"Then also representing Ireland in the Olympics is even more special just with family and friends and stuff like that it would be class."

Baloucoune has scored one try in 11 appearances for Ulster this season, but while club team-mate Jacob Stockdale was included in Ireland's Six Nations squad, the Enniskillen-born player missed out.

"Yes, definitely, obviously with certain situations," he said when asked if he was hopeful of making the squad for Ireland's Grand Slam defence.

"Mack Hansen was out and a few players were out, Jimmy O'Brien as well, so I definitely saw it as an opportunity to get back in the squad.

"[That was] obviously not the case but I wouldn't say my performances have been up to where I've needed, so it's on me to get back to that level of performance."

Baloucoune (far left) previously played sevens for Ireland in 2018 alongside current 15s star Hugo Keenan (third from right)

Baloucoune last featured for Ireland in November 2022 but insists returning to the international fold remains a prime motivator for him while admitting that his

"It's obviously a huge drive for me, it's where I want to be as well, so trying to become the best winger that I can be and trying to reach that performance that I can perform at, it's definitely a huge goal."

While pulling on the Ireland jersey in either the sevens of 15s code may come in the future, for now Baloucoune is focused on Ulster's return to United Rugby Championship action.

Dan McFarland's side travel to Ospreys on Sunday for their first game since a 47-19 defeat by Harlequins spelled the end of their disappointing Investec Champions Cup campaign.

"We have had quite a few tough meetings," Baloucoune said when reflecting on Ulster's season so far, which has yielded seven wins and six defeats in the URC and Champions Cup.

"A few hard discussions as well, especially after the Harlequins game where it was more about our energy and stuff during the game.

"But we've gone through our detail, what we need to do to improve as a team and to improve individually, so it's just bringing that onto the pitch and bringing everything together."