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.