Darragh Leader and the Irish NFL prospects: 'We just have to deal with the pressure'  

His older brother, Tadhg, runs Leader Kicking, an initiative that connects Irish players with US college football teams.

IRISH HOPEFULS: Darragh Leader, Mark Jackson, Charlie Smyth and Rory Beggan. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

Current Bristol Bears scrum-half Kieran Marmion was compelled to send a message to Darragh Leader when he heard his old Connacht team-mate was one of four Irish athletes selected for the NFL International Player Pathway.

“What are you doing? He said this is like someone who hasn’t played soccer trying to make it for Manchester United,” recalls Leader with a chuckle.