Ireland lock Kieran Treadwell is eager to face the likes of old schoolmate Alex Dombrandt against England in Round 4 after making a try-scoring return to Andy Farrell’s side.
Ulster second row Treadwell came off the bench and crossed for Ireland’s final try in the 57-6 win over Italy in Dublin in Round 3.
It was his first appearance for the national side since 2017 and with Ireland’s next match against the country of his birth England at Twickenham in two weeks’ time, Treadwell – who was one year above Dombrandt at The John Fisher School in Purley – is keen to be reacquainted with some familiar faces.
Treadwell said: “Obviously I’m hungry, I really want to play, especially against England, playing against players I’ve played with and against while I was growing up. That would be fun.”
The former England Under-20s international received his first senior Ireland call-up – having played for the Under-18s courtesy of his Irish mother – from Joe Schmidt nearly five years ago on the tour to Japan.
A further appearance came against Fiji that autumn, but Treadwell has had to bide his time for his fourth international cap which finally arrived last weekend.
It has been a tough wait for the 26-year-old, even missing out on Farrell’s extended squad last summer despite several injuries and eight players initially being named in the British & Irish Lions touring party bound for South Africa.
“It was massive for me,” said Treadwell after replacing Tadhg Beirne for the final quarter at the Aviva Stadium.
“2017, it’s been a long time since I got my last cap. So, to get in there and get an appearance, it was massive for me.
“Throughout the week, everyone was there to support me and help. We’re a tight-knit squad and that’s happened in a relatively short amount of time.
“For me, 2017 was the last time, that’s a long time and I’ve been trying to get myself back in the frame by playing as well as I can. The fact we all have the same goal made it easier.”
Treadwell believes he now knows what he needs to deliver on a regular basis to establish himself as an integral figure in Ireland’s matchday 23.
He added: “You have to make it count when you get the chance.
“For me a massive thing is consistency. I think I have a bit more of a hold on what I need to do to be consistently performing at a high-level.
“That’s something of a change in what I’ve done. Again, it’s just being confident you’re doing the right thing.”
