McFadden starts from scratch back on home patch

If pre-season training is a bit like going back to school, it was fitting that Fergus McFadden was continuing his Leinster preparations on the pitch where it all started a little more than 15 years ago.

The RaboDirect Pro12 and Amlin Challenge Cup champions were at Cill Dara yesterday, which is nestled on the edge of the Curragh, where McFadden grew up.

So while he was concentrating on impressing new head coach Matt O’Connor, he was enjoying seeing some familiar faces too.

McFadden began with the U11s and has a particularly fond memory of playing at half-time in an Ireland-Wales international at the old Lansdowne Road stadium.

Gaelic football was a passion too and he played at senior level for Suncroft, alongside Kildare stalwarts Anthony Rainbow and Killian Brennan.

Once he went to Clongowes though, rugby was always likely to take over. Which is why, aside from the autographs and photos yesterday, there was serious business to attend to too.

“I had a nice four weeks off,” said a relaxed McFadden. “Both physically and mentally as well, just to switch off from the rugby. It was a long season but I’m happy to be back in training.

“We have a fourth week under our belt and things are coming on nicely with a new coach and some new faces this year.”

Going back always brings a frisson of excitement, and maybe nerves too. That can only have been accentuated by the fact that there is a new boss prowling the line.

While Joe Schmidt moving on to the national job won’t do his prospects in that regard any harm, there is too much to do at base camp to even think about Ireland.

“I suppose it’s like any walk of life. Joe was there, people made their impression with him and people were getting picked.

“With someone new coming in, everyone has a clean slate so it adds to the competitive nature of fighting for places, which is healthy. Everyone has started with high intensity and hopefully it will continue.

“My bread and butter is playing for Leinster every week and in the big games, so hopefully if I can impress Matt and if I’m the kind of player that will fit into his game plan then great. I’m really looking forward to it.

“He’s a really nice guy and seems like he’s really got his head switched on in terms of the rugby stuff we’ve done so far, so it’s exciting.”

McFadden actually met O’Connor before and had “a good chat” with the Australian, but says he would have known all about him anyway. There have been some changes to training, as you’d expect, but anything like the Leicester style of play from the past season, when O’Connor was backs coach, will suit McFadden and his Leinster team-mates just fine.

Everyone’s first view of the new Leinster will come against Ulster on Friday, August 23 in Ravenhill and they will play host to Northampton seven days later. McFadden can’t wait.

“We’re just really looking forward to the games to kick on now.

“This is enjoyable but this is the tough part of the year because you come back from holidays obviously not in the same shape you ended the year in, when you were at peak fitness. So you grind, to get the hard work done and try to get to the start of the season as close to match fitness as possible.”