After striking return in blue, Kearney is far from ready to bring down the curtain

Veteran Leinster winger bounced back from a torrid season with a try on his reappearance in Italy last week. He still has itches to scratch 

No parting shot: Dave Kearney of Leinster walks out to the pitch before the United Rugby Championship match between Zebre Parma and Leinster at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Coaches have been known to paint a player's return from long-term injury as the equivalent of a new signing and Dave Kearney’s reappearance in Leinster blue in last week’s season opener against Zebre Parma fits that bracket.

The winger is 33 now, no spring chicken, but the sight of him crossing the line for his try in Italy only confirmed what a loss he had been last term as ankle, back and hamstring issues confined him to just the four appearances.