Will Addison says a key factor behind committing his future to Ulster was adding to his four caps and chasing silverware with Ireland.
It has been a bumpy ride in green for the former Sale back - who made his debut against Italy in 2018 - in recent months.
He missed out on the World Cup in Japan while a calf injury sustained playing for Ulster in Europe in January ruled him out of the start of the Six Nations.
But it hasn’t diminished the 27-year-old’s ambition to muscle his way into Andy Farrell’s plans when international rugby eventually returns.
Asked if Ireland factored into recently signing a new two year deal with Ulster, Addison said: “It’s definitely in the forefront of my mind - I’m massively aspirational.
“When I first came over I wouldn't have been a name that leapt off the page for Irish fans but it was something that I really wanted to do.
“First and foremost, it was playing for Ulster but backing myself and my own talent. I wanted to be in that Ireland frame as well and I was fortunate to do that in my first year.
“I want to be in that squad, then challenging for a starting place and challenging for trophies as well. That came into the decision for sure.”
England-born Addison, who joined Ulster from Sale Sharks in 2018, said it was a “pretty straightforward thought process” to stay on at the Kingspan.
He said: “It's an exciting young squad and exciting young coaching (ticket) we're working with. You want to be competing for trophies and I think that's what we're going to be doing.”
