Fanning: AIL full of guys ready to take next step

Leinster’s Darragh Fanning believes there are plenty like him playing club rugby who are ready, willing and more than able to do a job for any of the four professional provincial sides.

Fanning has featured four times for the RaboDirect Pro12 and Amlin Challenge Cup champions this term, twice in pre-season and again in recent weeks against Scarlets and Ospreys, having been seconded over the summer from his duties with St Mary’s.

George North and Eli Walker are among those to have hugged the same touchline as the 26-year-old so far, but he has yet to cough up a try to his opposing wing and has fitted more or less seamlessly into Matt O’Connor’s side.