Leinster
, via the schools system, possess a never-ending well of backrow talent. This is evident now more than ever because the injury toll has never been so heavy.
Jamie Heaslip, one of the best number eights in the world, was removed after 28 minutes against Ulster on Saturday with shoulder damage yet the team arguably improved.
Jack Conan switched from blindside to become man of the match after barrelling and swathing numerous Ulster defenders from his path.
More people know about Josh van der Flier now after his showing at openside. Dan Leavy is still to rise above the parapet. Nick Timoney and Conor Oliver have yet to enter the Academy but both teenagers are playing Division 1A club rugby for St Mary's RFC. Conor Gilsensan, a superb underage flanker for Clongowes Wood, felt obliged to seek game time with London Irish.
Jordi Murphy was so explosive last season that Joe Schmidt dropped Munster's established flanker Tommy O'Donnell for the 2009 Blackrock captain. Murphy needed surgery earlier this season and on his return couldn't remove Conan or Dominic Ryan.
Ryan's concussion coupled with Heaslip's first injury since December 2010 gave him an opportunity against Ulster. After looking off the pace in defeat to Munster he was the most effective forward at the breakdown, second only to Conan in carries.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been out for that long before so it as a bit of a shock in the first few games,” said Murphy. “You’re three months behind everyone in game-time really. It’s definitely taken me a while to get up to my speed.
“It’s not frustrating. It’s just what I have to do. I can’t get left behind. I can either feel sorry for myself and fall further behind or else put my hand up and keep moving forward. I have to keep pushing on.”
Returning soon
Ryan will be back this week and eventually those who won three European titles together – Heaslip, Jennings, Seán O’Brien and Kevin McLaughlin – along with
Rhys Ruddock
will seek to put the new boys back in their box.
“That’s the relentless nature of the backrow in Leinster,” Murphy continued. “Nobody gives you any breathing space. They’ve both gone out there and put their hands up this season. It’s relentless.”
For several years people on the outside complained about Leinster hoarding all this talent. But one salient fact shines through now – backrowers get broken, it’s an inevitable part of a job that requires your neck to be exposed to the freight train of shoulders, forearms and heads.
“Yeah well I think it’s obviously when people are out injured it’s an opportunity for others,” Murphy added. “That’s how I got my first opportunity in the squad, there were a few injuries.
“There’s obviously pressure coming from the young lads as well like Josh who came in and did a brilliant job for us, he was outstanding.
“We just have to keep that emphasis going. All the above come from the schools system -–Heaslip (Newbridge), Murphy (Blackrock), van der Flier (King’s Hospital), Ryan and McLaughlin (Gonzaga), Conan (St Gerard’s), Leavy (St Michael’s), Timoney and Oliver (Blackrock).
"Jack was outstanding and deserved man of the match, pretty clearly I would have thought," said Leo Cullen.
“He’s worked really hard, that’s why he is in the team. His numbers are really good and he’s a really good guy to work with because he is very diligent in how he goes about his week.
“I’m delighted. I had a chat with him during the week and it is just about him imposing himself now. He’s had his taste for it over the last couple of months in the team with plenty of opportunities. It’s about pushing on to the next level now for him because he has outstanding ability. Hopefully he’s got a big future in the team.”
