Chance for Munster young guns to put down markers
It's not an easy sell for the likes of Denis Leamy and Stephen Keogh, but most observers would agree that they have already staked a claim in advance of tonight's Celtic League clash in Edinburgh.
Twenty-one year old Keogh has had a distinguished apprenticeship, helping his local Bruff side to an All-Ireland U16 title six years ago. He has since captained the Irish U21 side through last season's Six Nations Championship, and then into the U21 World Cup where a narrow loss to Argentina cost them a semi-final place.
With local hero John Hayes as a benchmark, Keogh acknowledges that it's not the fancy stuff but the hard work that is likely to bring him richer rewards in future years.
So much so that he had no hesitation in moving from the back row into the second row when Munster coach Alan Gaffney suggested it would be better suited to the province's current needs.
"I prefer playing in the back row because my physique is better suited to any one of those positions at this stage. But I had no problem in agreeing to play second row for Munster. It's just great to get into the team in the first place.
"I don't suppose I would have got the chance were it not for the fact that it's World Cup year. A lot of the top players are away and, in a sense, it's probably a good thing for Munster rugby.
"This is a very young and inexperienced squad. OK, things were very tough at the start but I honestly believe everything is coming together now. We've a couple of wins under our belt and we're back in contention in the Celtic League.
"Guys like me have to be patient and realise that when the top players come back, there might not be a place for us. But if we can ask questions of the management in between, then that surely is a good thing.
"When we started out, it was all very difficult. We didn't know each other and more particularly didn't know the style of play required of us against new opposition. But gradually everything has started to come together. The last two wins have given us a lot of confidence as well."
Keogh weighs in at something around 108 kilos, just a tad more than 17 stone, but Munster coach Alan Gaffney is excited about his appetite for the game not to mention his ability.
"We asked him to move to the second row a couple of weeks ago and he has really taken to the task. I am delighted with the way he has progressed."
If the youngster does have to make way in the coming weeks as Munster prepare for the forthcoming Heineken Cup, so be it as far as he is concerned.
"What I have tried to do is to lay down a marker to be recognised in the future. It's really a question of doing my best while I have the opportunities and I am delighted to have got those opportunities and prove to people that I might be able to do a job in the foreseeable future.
"It's my dream to play in the Heineken Cup but I don't suppose that will happen quickly. The Celtic League is obviously a rung or two below that, but it has been a great experience and a step up from club or representative rugby at U21 level. It's really all about gaining experience."
Captain Jim Williams was upbeat at Munster's prospects of victory this evening. "There is no doubt that there has been a good feeling in the camp for the last couple of weeks.
"Two victories have turned the whole programme around for us. At the back of my mind is the worry that, apart from our win over Leinster in Donnybrook, we haven't won a game away from home since.
"This has been a learning curve for a lot of our young players and they have got better and better as the weeks have gone on.
"They know more about themselves as individuals and they also know more about what is required from them as team members than they did at the start.
"This is a very important match for us because a positive result could push us into the top three or four while a negative one could leave us much closer to the bottom of the table.
"Edinburgh, like all Scottish sides, can be a little unpredictable but I believe over the last few weeks that our younger players have learned much better how to cope with new challenges. Hopefully, that will be enough to secure another victory for us."
MUNSTER (v Edinburgh, 7.30pm): D. Crotty; M. McPhail, M. Mullins, C. O'Sullivan, M. Lawler; J. Holland, E. Reddan; S. Kerr, A. Long, F. Roche; T. Hogan, S. Keogh; D. Leamy, C. McMahon, J. Williams cap.
Replacements: E. McGovern, J. Blaney, D. Sheehan, T. Hayes, F. Murphy, K. Matthews, C. Casey.
LEINSTER (v Llanelli): G. D'Arcy; J. McWeeney, C. Warner, D. Quinlan, G. Brown; M. Leek, B. O'Meara; E. Byrne, G. Hickie, N. Treston; A. Kearney, B. Gissing; N. Breslin, S. Jennings, capt, D. Dillon.
Replacements: P. Coyle, D. Blaney, C. Potts, N. Ronan, S. Whelan, P. McKenna, D. O'Shea.
LLANELLI (v Leinster): B. Davies, R. Rees, T. Selley, M. Watkins, S. Finau, G. Bowen, M. Phillips; P. John, A. Gravelle, J. Davies, J. Griffiths, A. Jones, V. Cooper (Capt), I. Boobyer, E. Lewis.
Replacements: D. Maddocks, A. Yelland, B. Griffiths, G. Williams, D. Burn, C. Thomas, L. Byrne.
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