Sean Cronin always ready for action

It was England coach Eddie Jones who suggested there was no such thing as a second-choice replacement in Test rugby, only starters and finishers.

As a player set to make his 54th Ireland appearance but only his ninth start, the Jones mindset may well appeal to Sean Cronin.

That the Leinster hooker must vie for the Ireland No 2 jersey with national team captain Rory Best may reinforce what Jones considers an outmoded concept of first and second choice, and Cronin is understandably eager to make the most of the sporadic chances to start, such as this evening’s Dublin Test against Canada.