Sean Cronin finds the positives in life off the bench

If Sean Cronin is to fulfil his accustomed role for Ireland this Saturday against Wales, it will mean the hooker will be coming off the bench for the 50th time in his long Test career.

It will be a 59th cap for the Limerick man and Leinster stalwart, but a 50th time named on an Ireland bench.

That has taken some adjustment over the years but Cronin, now 31, has learned to see the positives, not least the fact he is delighted to be back in Joe Schmidt’s squad after spending November on the outside looking in.