Confident McLaughlin ready to repay Kidney’s faith

WITH words of praise ringing in his ears, Kevin McLaughlin promised to repay the faith shown in him by Irish coach Declan Kidney when he lines out against Italy at Croke Park on Saturday.

The Leinster flanker was fast-forwarded to the team following the exclusion through injury of Stephen Ferris and it’s an opportunity he intends grasping with both hands. The apparently unflappable McLaughlin admitted Saturday may prove a big step up from Heineken Cup rugby but has no intention of letting nerves get the better of him.

“Everyone aspires to play for their country, it will be a big couple of days for me but I’m going to try to treat it like any other game. I am going to get on with it and play my own type of game.