Blaney ready to get physical

ANYONE dismissive of the trademark horror stories of what it is like to be a visiting player — particularly a forward — in the south of France should look no further than Leinster’s Brian Blaney.

Twelve months ago, the 24-year-old played in that neck of the woods for the first time — against Bourgoin in Pool Five of the Heineken Cup — and the home pack weren’t long in making his acquaintance.

“Yeah, I got an elbow to the face in the first few minutes but that was just a welcome to Bourgoin,” he said casually.