Ambitions.

Garry Ringrose’s return to action with Ireland didn’t exactly go according to plan last month with the centre picking up a nasty broken jaw in the win over Italy at the Aviva Stadium.

The 25-year-old took a knee flush into the face while trying to charge down a kick, resulting in a clean break to his jaw which required surgery and screws and has put him on a liquid for a number of weeks.

The centre was in fine form for Leinster in the build-up to the game and is disappointed to have missed out on the game in Paris as well as the Autumn Nations Cup which kicks off this weekend.

But Ringrose is staying strong and will be back before long with a packed season to come.

And he’s got his eyes set on a place on the plane to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions next year after he narrowly missed out on selection for the tour of New Zealand in 2017.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was a major ambition to be involved in something like the Lions,” Ringrose told us.

“If would have been a dream of mine as a kid watching them. I’m almost certain that’s the same dream every professional rugby player has so I’d certainly be no different in that regard.

“But in terms of my focus, energy and attention – that would all be on the immediate, albeit I’m injured now so that changes the picture on my goal front, but ultimately you want to evolve and grow as best you can, day by day, week by week, and win come the weekend or Monday nights as it is now for some of the lads and put the best version of yourself out there.

“Then after the game, it’s about recovering, attacking the next week and trying to get better.

“I certainly have ambitions like everyone but 100% of my attention and focus will be on the immediate and how can I get better now and add value to Leinster and Ireland.

“Everything then that’s out of my control or in the future will look after itself if I focus on the immediate.”

In terms of a timeframe for his recovery, Ringrose is targeting a return for the Champions Cup in December with Leinster.

“Those European games with Leinster are certainly a target in terms of getting back,” Ringrose added.

“But obviously, I’ll be meeting the surgeon and reviewing it with him each week to make sure things are progressing.”

Garry Ringrose is pictured here at the launch of Aviva’s Ireland’s Call competition. Aviva, as a proud sponsor of the IRFU, are giving some lucky fans across the country the chance to sing Ireland’s Call alongside Andy Farrell’s team ahead of their game this Friday November 13th against Wales in the Guinness Series. To take part, please email [email protected] stating why you would love the chance to sing Ireland’s Call alongside the Irish Rugby Team.