Toner hails Nacewa courage

LEINSTER’S Devin Toner was the tallest man on the pitch during his sides Heineken Cup victory over French Super 14 league leaders Racing Metro on Saturday.

Yet he believes one of the smallest provided the inspiration for victory after producing a crushing tackle on Racing’s talisman Sebastian Chabal.

Toner, pictured right, was not only delighted to be in the team for this group opener but also to be on the winning team – his selection was most likely due to the unavailability of injured skipper Leo Cullen – and he admits to having watched in awe as diminutive winger Isa Nacewa tamed Chabal with a huge tackle early on.

As Leinster prepare to take on Saracens at Wembley this coming weekend, Toner says that Nacewa’s bravery was inspirational. “You couldn’t allow a winger to get to slag you off, so we really had to follow his lead.”

Two physical games in a week – against Munster and Racing – will have prepared Leinster for whatever Saracens throw at them, believes Toner.

“Racing had some massive men apart from Chabal, they took the ball on and put in some huge hits; ultimately, I thought we were a bit smarter in the way we played, we fronted up, drove them back and it worked out,” he said.

In his bid to win a regular starting slot, Toner admits that he had to produce something extra apart from just being a dominant force in the lineouts. “Really, I suppose there were a few of us of whom more was expected. I’m aware that I need to work hard on the extras, but there are others; for instance, I thought Mike Ross had a brilliant game even apart from the scrums, Sean O’Brien is getting better every week and Nathan (Hines) did a lot of talking throughout the game. He’s always up for French opposition, having spent some time in Perpignan, and there was a bit of banter going on from time to time. I don’t know what he was saying but he was talking.”

Part of Toner’s success is down to accuracy of hooker Richardt Strauss and the big second row admitted that there was a good understanding. “I suppose it was different last year for him with such opposition (for places) but this year he has really taken it on; he has a great dart to the line out that allows him hit the back every time. He has also pace going forward, he gets really low over the ball so he can make a mark there too.”