Kieran Marmion’s time to shine after four years of progress

As trips to North America go, Kieran Marmion’s four years ago wasn’t bad.

A week in Houston, Texas and another spent up in Toronto. Niagara Falls among the excursions and, to top it all, a night spent with his mates in the company of mammoth Houston Texans defensive end and three-time NFL defensive player of the year JJ Watt.

Few 21-year olds would expect more but, for Marmion at the time, the main emotion was one of frustration as he flew home.