Ronan carving out his own reputation

NIALL RONAN has spent most of his Munster career living in the shadows of David Wallace, begrudgingly accepting of scraps from the master flanker’s table.

But as Wallace finds himself in the throes of a rehabilitation programme from injury, Ronan has taken advantage through a string of top-class performances.

“He has been a guy who has lacked opportunities in the big-end games, played against Australia and New Zealand and a few Celtic League games but he has been on the bench for a lot of Heineken Cup games,” said coach Tony McGahan.

“Having someone like David, one of Ireland’s best back-rowers, in front of him is always difficult. Niall’s elevation into the group stages of the Heineken Cup has been built on the back of a lot of hard work. He needed to get the opportunity and he hasn’t looked back. I think he has been tremendous and he has brought us a different dimension from what traditionally we have had from David.

“He [Ronan] is the leading exponent of our breakdown work, which you would expect from your sevens, but he has been leading the way on both sides of the ball, in attack and defence. The hard work and belief he has shown in his own ability has been reflected in his performances.”

Ronan is raring to go this weekend, despite having had his training schedule curtailed with a bruised knee in the act of scoring Munster’s opening try in last week’s RaboDirect Pro12 win over Treviso.

“I’ve felt I’ve played well over the last few years but it’s the big games, the Heineken Cup games, people remember those the most.

“It has been difficult at times, there are high standards and I must take my chance every time I get it and work hard for the team; hopefully I’m doing that at the moment.”

He is thankful for the huge contribution of senior players and emergence of exciting youngsters such as Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Simon Zebo.

“A lot of credit has to go to the coaches in facilitating the development of the younger players. The leaders in the squad, like Paul [O’Connell] and Rog [Ronan O’Gara], have kind of taught them the Munster standards, and we’ve developed very well as a team.

“We’re winning games now — they’re close games alright, but we’re winning games, and hopefully we can keep on doing that.”

Tomorrow is a huge day for Munster, with victory guaranteeing his side a place in the knock out stages. But Castres won’t be treated with any less respect than Northampton or the Scarlets were.

“Obviously we’ve analysed the game we played against them and some of the games they’ve played in the Top 14 in France. They’re a very physical side and every French team is dangerous.”