Toner prepared to make the big calls

FACING a heavy workload in the next 72 hours, Devin Toner will have little time to fret about his International debut against Samoa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Leinster’s giant second row is the only new kid on the block in an unexpectedly experienced side, but will be calling the shots in the line-out as Declan Kidney’s men seek to blow away the South African cobwebs.

The decision to land so much responsibility to a new cap might appear surprising, but not to those familiar with his role at Leinster over the past couple of seasons.

“I’ve been asked to do the job and I’m happy with that; the calls will obviously be different but I’ll be going through the same process that brought me here. It’s nothing I haven’t been doing for Leinster,” said a delighted Toner yesterday.

Although Toner credits Mick and Charlie Quinn, coaches at his school, Castleknock, with inspiring him as a youngster, his break came when Michael Cheika upgraded him from a Leinster Academy to a full contract after just a year.

By then, he had already gone through a pretty impressive apprenticeship that included playing for Leinster and Irish Schools and Ireland under 19’s and 21’s.

Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll yesterday said Toner hadn’t appeared from nowhere and pointed out that his form has been excellent.

O’Driscoll said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for him to come in and stake a claim for a spot and it’s fully deserved; people have to do their apprenticeships and he has done that in full, coming through all the grade levels to having this opportunity. It’s a great place to be.”

With tutors such as Cheika, Malcolm O’Kelly and Leo Cullen who have all worked with him to help develop his natural line out skills, one expects Toner to dominate the aerial battle on Saturday.

Toner admitted his biggest challenge was to come to terms with his huge 6 foot 10 inch frame and make a bigger mark in the rucks and scrums.

But Irish coach Declan Kidney noted Toner’s improvement in those very facets of play: “Devin missed the first couple of games this season through injury, came back in and did well; his improvement in the breakdown area is good and his contribution there has been substantially up on last year – that’s what has given him the right to wear the jersey on Saturday.”