Tiernan O’Halloran’s sharp learning curve

It has been a few years since Tiernan O’Halloran did his Leaving Certificate but there must have been a real sense of “here we go again” when the Connacht full-back earned his promotion to Ireland camp for this tour to South Africa.

Initially overlooked when Joe Schmidt named his travelling party for the three-Test series with the Springboks, O’Halloran, 25, maintained his focus on Pro12 glory with his native province, as Pat Lam’s side closed in on silverware with a final against Leinster in Edinburgh.

No sooner was the trophy safely back in Galway than O’Halloran was having to cancel a holiday to Mauritius with girlfriend Dana, called up to the Ireland squad as Rob Kearney succumbed to injury.