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.

“I wasn’t shocked; training went well last week and I fitted in well with the team. I felt I had a chance. I wasn’t trying to get my hopes up too much but I wasn’t exactly shocked when my name was called out either.”

Kidney has been monitoring McLaughlin’s form and has no qualms about handing him a starting berth on Saturday.

He said: “Kevin fought his way into the Leinster team after Rocky (Elsom) left, he said he wanted to get a certain number of games (for Leinster), he did that and did very well.

“He was going well and we didn’t front up in our own minds in November because we felt he had put such an effort into September and October that we didn’t want to overplay him in November. If we needed to, we could have called upon him then, but in December and January he has backed that (form) up. He has played consistently with one of the better teams in Europe and the way he has gone about his business week in shows he is a credit to himself.

“I hope he enjoys the week and does no more or less than he has done for Leinster on a constant basis this season.”

The praise went on, with Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll joining the chorus.

The skipper added: “He has been hugely consistent for us, he’s a big impact player with a huge work rate. There are simple things you ask from a six and you get that and more from Kevin.

“We got a huge amount from Rocky last season and there was a question as to how we would replace him but Kevin stepped up and has done a very good job; the transition (from Elsom) has been fairly seamless.

“I would say to him that he should enjoy the occasion but I reckon he has it cracked in that he won’t worry unduly about the occasion. He will take it as just another game in as much as he can.”

McLaughlin expects it might get tougher as the game approaches, but he is determined to try to keep to his normal routine. He commented: “Nerves obviously are part and parcel of big games, especially for a first cap, but I’m conscious that I want to keep playing the way I have been playing rather than letting the occasion get to me. Accordingly, I’m just focused on bringing the same preparation that I bring to other games and that I just get the basics right for Saturday,” he said.

This season has delivered rich rewards to McLaughlin, none bigger than yesterday, compared with 08/09 when he contemplated even moving back to a 9-5 job in the commercial world. “It was a rough season that wasn’t helped by constant injuries and the presence of Rocky; I doubted myself physically and wondered whether I was ever going to make that break through, so this makes me appreciate what has happened so far this season more than ever. I’m delighted I’m now seeing rewards and I intend to enjoy it regardless.”