Leamy looking to stake claim for regular Test spot

After playing second fiddle to Ulster blindside Stephen Ferris for the best part of two years Denis Leamy is looking forward to a rare start in the number six jersey for Ireland against Manu Samoa on Saturday.

“It’s great to be back in the starting line-up, it’s been a while - I’m delighted to be back and it’s a great opportunity to run out in the Aviva Stadium with all the boys." he said.

Leamy will face an ultra physical Samoan backrow, including London Irish number eight George Stowers who he played against in the Heineken Cup in recent weeks, but the Munster flanker is confident in his fellow Irish backrowers.

“I’ve played with Jamie (Heaslip) over the years and obviously Sean (O’Brien) is someone that I haven’t played with yet, but he’s a very exciting prospect and hopefully we’ll have a good day and work well as a combination.

Leamy, who has captained Munster this season in the absence of Paul O’Connell, has shown excellent form for his province- but the former Rockwell captain accepts that competition in the Irish backrow is as intense as ever.

“You don’t get too many opportunities - well I certainly haven’t in the last while - I’ve been given a chance now and it’s up to myself now to put in a big performance and stake a claim, " said Leamy.

“It’s a great opportunity to show what I’ve got - over the last year or two, unfortunately, I’ve struggled with injuries and different things and that probably has had a knock on effect with my form - but over the last four or five months now I’ve been pretty much injury free.

“I’ve been playing quite well with Munster and to get an opportunity here is great.”