Sean Cronin eager to let loose for Leinster

So much of the talk after Ireland’s loss to Argentina in Cardiff was of the inevitable World Cup hangovers which those involved would have to dispense with before they could turn their attention back to provincial duties.

Sean Cronin could be forgiven for harbouring a headache worse than most. The Leinster hooker arrived in national camp last July on the back of a season he could happily stand over. He felt ready to make his mark in the UK, only to be reduced to the role of bit-part player and then bystander come the games that really counted.

Twenty minutes against Canada was followed by the same against the Romanians. Ten more minutes against the Azzurri and he was done.

“Yeah, it was a bit of a disappointment, from a personal point of view, but also going out at the quarters. You’d always be there sitting asking: ‘what could I have added?’ I’d have loved to have been involved at that time, but I’m happy to be back in this environment.

“I’m happy to be back playing. I got 50-55 (minutes) against Treviso. I was supposed to be involved last weekend (against Scarlets) but I’d a slight calf problem, so I’m just looking forward to playing rugby again, to being involved here, to make an impact as best I can.”

This isn’t new for Cronin. Three years ago he sat down with the Irish Examiner in a café in Clonskeagh, down the road from Leinster’s UCD training base, and spoke honestly about the frustrations he felt at not getting the nod more often at club and national levels. A switch to France at some stage was not ruled out.

His ability to cut loose with ball in hand has come to be viewed as a skill more aptly reserved for off the bench, but Schmidt and his coaching staff never really explained to the media during the World Cup exactly why he was replaced in the 23 by Richardt Strauss. A “horses for courses type explanation” was the line of reasoning given to the player himself at the time and he insists his confidence is unblemished by the experience as he and Leinster brace for the visit to Dublin of Wasps in their Pool 5 Champions Cup opener on Sunday.

“No, not really because I know I’ve been delivering the past few seasons. I had to take the reasoning and try to do as best as I could for the squad throughout training and, if I was called upon, to come in and do the work off the pitch.”

Rory Best may not stand in his way this week, but he will again vie with Strauss for the starter’s slot against a Wasps side that was unlucky to go down when they pitched up at the RDS at this same stage last season.

“Yeah, we struggled to get over the line against them. They bossed us at the breakdown. They’d Ashley Johnson, Guy Thompson, Nathan Hughes - a fabulous back row. I watched them (beat Gloucester on Sunday) and Hughes seems to be playing really well.

“He’s a fabulous player so I presume they’re going to pose the same sort of threat. They’re incredibly strong, have recruited well with (Charles) Piutau, George Smith. Getting Piutau for a season isn’t a bad recruit, so they’re very strong across the park.”

Among the visitors’ number again is likely to be Johnson, the South African flanker who has since converted to hooker at the late age of 29. Cronin is a fan of the player but clearly believes his new brief won’t come easily.

“It is going to be very difficult. It is specialised. He’s got to throw and he’s got to learn with the scrums now in terms of hooking (which) is a skill set in itself. He is a fabulous player, caused us massive problems last year. A great ball carrier, great at the breakdown. Some players can adapt quickly while others might struggle. Only time will tell.”

Patience will be key. Cronin can vouch for that.