Last year saw the emergence of one of Ireland’s youngest talents to come through the domestic set up when North Dublin Eagles wing made his international debut in front of over 15,000 screaming French fans in Avignon. This year the twenty year old winger will again look to pull on the Irish jersey after he was selected in new head coach Mark Aston’s 30 man squad for the 2011 Autumn International Series.

Taylor made appearances in all three of Ireland’s 2010 Alitalia European Cup campaign including in his hometown of Dublin when Ireland took on Scotland. Speaking on his selection the Trinity College student emphasised that is was harder to get in second time around “It’s really good, the competition and the quality of the domestic players has really improved over the last. I think the academy has helped finding the two lads who have signed with St Helens. With the A team although the results didn’t go our way the performances have been really good. The competition was definitely up I’m delighted I got through again and I am looking forward to giving it a shot. Hopefully I can play in a few of the matches if not all of them like last October.”

When reflecting on last year’s time in the senior squad Taylor outlined what he felt were the main differences between playing for the A team and the senior team. “The physicality and pace is the big difference. All the physical aspects are a lot higher at that level. I played in the last seventeen minutes against France last year and the pace is just unbelievable and I was fairly tired. The skill level is also higher as you are surrounded by Super League lads who do this for their day jobs.”

A versatile back who has played all over the back line Joe has grown since his selection in the squad twelve months ago and he puts that down to the help and advice he received from his fellow international colleagues. “The lads were really good for answering questions last year. Most of them if you pulled them aside in training last year would be able to tell you what you can do to improve. I got plenty of good feedback last year even just from training the lads which was really helpful.”

As part of his development the young Eagle spent two months of the summer as part of the Leeds Rhinos U20 squad where he made two starts against Hull FC and Salford. He even managed to grab a try against the latter. He felt his time at the Yorkshire club helped him gain his recall to the side

“It will help me bring my level up as it was just that little but of exposure I had this summer again playing Leeds 20’s is a big step up and playing it for a bit of the summer will help you improve. I got in quite good shape physically got a lot better. Basically it’s experience at a higher level which is crucial. I think that’s definitely helped me get selected as I feel my game has come one a bit. I am playing better this year than even in the domestic league so it has helped.”

While he felt Leeds helped him he also showed no hesitation to point out the fact that being part of the Leinster interprovincial squad has assisted him in his quest for further honours. “The Inter Provincial Series is definitely a good thing. The lads who are keen and really committed can surround themselves with better players and it always helps playing with better players because it brings your own game on. The A’s is a step up again so it is good to have that intermediate step between a club side and the A team.”

With the prospect of adding to his three caps the Leixlip native had his feet firmly rooted to the ground when talking about his hopes for the upcoming fixtures. “I don’t know what to expect considering it’s a new coaching set up. I’m absolutely delighted to be in the squad full stop. So far as getting into the team I’m not really too sure. Hopefully I can get into one or two games and build from there.”

With training just around the corner it will be time for the Human Health and Disease student to take his head out of the books and take to the field with players such as Catalan’s Damian Blanch and Challenge Cup Winner Tyrone McCarthy. Ireland will take part in a triangular series with France and Scotland where they face Scotland away before taking on France in Thomond Park. Friendly fixtures away to Wales and at home to Samoa will round off Ireland’s international season as Mark Aston look to build towards the World Cup in 2013.