Ulster's Herring not ruling out Ireland return

Herring was part of the Ireland squad that won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

Ulster hooker Rob Herring has not closed the door on his international career, insisting it's a case of "never say never".

The 35-year-old has won 43 caps for Ireland since making his debut in 2014, but was not selected for the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal and was also left out of the squad for the autumn internationals.

Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher and Gus McCarthy make up the pool of hookers in Andy Farrell's current squad.

Herring remains a key figure for Ulster, but speaking to the Ireland Rugby Social podcast, he is not ruling out an international return.

"It's probably an open conversation at the minute between myself and the coaching staff," he said.

"I'm still playing and still contracted with Ulster, so never say never, I may be back there (with Ireland) but they've got the three boys and they are playing well."

URC semi-final defeat by Stormers still hurts

South Africa-born Herring initially found himself at London Irish as an academy player in 2009, having made the switch to the northern hemisphere when leaving school.

Following a spell playing provincial and university rugby back in his homeland, he was enticed back north by then Ulster Director of Rugby, David Humphries on an initial six-month contract in 2012.

With 258 appearances in the white jersey, east Belfast has now become home, but is yet to taste success with his adopted province.

Last season's disappointing campaign has proven to be a motivating factor this term for Herring whose desire to secure silverware remains as strong as ever.

"I've really been motivated this year, having the summer off with a full pre-season," he said.

"I think there's a changing of the guard here. Last year we lost a lot of experience, so there is a new feel to the team now and that's really motivating.

"Last year wasn't a good year for us, that is clear, but it feels different this year. I've never won anything with Ulster, so that motivation and fire is in me to play my part to bring the squad back to where it should be."

There have been some near misses in his career, with a crushing 17-15 defeat by the Stormers in a United Rugby Championship semi-final still fresh in the mind.

With the clock four minutes into the red and Ulster leading by five, Warrick Gelant levelled with Manie Libbok nailing the conversion to break Ulster hearts - a defeat that stings and another opportunity missed.

"The really disappointing this is we would have travelled back to have a home semi-final because the Bulls beat Leinster - that was a tough one," Herring reflected.

"We've lost finals since I've been here, but that was one when he had a genuinely good team and were in a good place to go and win something, but it got away."

You can listen to all episodes of the Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds.