Larmour eager to make fresh case for Test involvement

Jordan Larmour's last appearance in the green jersey was a truncated 31 minutes on the wing against Japan in the summer of 2021.

ASPIRATIONS: Jordan Larmour during Leinster Rugby media conference at UCD in Dublin. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The end of one chapter inevitably kicks off another and Jordan Larmour is among those players currently on provincial duties who are eyeing a fresh start at Test level now that Ireland’s latest 2023 World Cup cycle is over.

The Leinster wing has won 30 Test caps since making his debut against Italy five years ago but his last appearance in the green jersey was a truncated 31 minutes on the wing against Japan in the summer of 2021.

Injuries have too often curtailed his appearances in blue and, consequently, any chances of playing his way back into Andy Farrell’s plans, but even a longer club run last year wasn’t enough to earn him a place in the extended pre-World Cup squad.

“Obviously hugely disappointing. I thought last season I was playing alright. I found a bit of form again and when you get the call from Faz and you look down at your phone it’s not a nice feeling because you know what’s coming.

“I got that on holidays and [was] obviously disappointed. Your brain is going a million miles an hour. You’re trying to chill out and relax but I took a few days to get over it – just feeling a bit low – but it is important to flip the page and say it is what it is because there’s nothing you can do about it."

The absence of any involvement in the World Cup wasn’t the first dip in fortunes suffered. 

Larmour burst onto the provincial scene in 2017 as a youngster but he has sat out big games with the province in recent years even when fit and available.

“I’ve gone through it before, dealing with disappointment. I’m not going to say you get used to it but you don’t beat yourself up as much or get ratty and take it out on people. I just say it is what it is. What can I do to improve and not be in this position again.” 

Changes have been made to give himself the best chances of achieving the “ultimate goal”, which is a return to the international scene, not least in the extra minutes and hours set aside every day to limber up and ward off any more knocks and niggles.

This being rugby, there is no way of avoiding injury entirely, of course. News yesterday that Cian Healy will miss another handful of weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in training proves that again, but Larmour is 26 now and knows the lay of the land.

An opening URC loss away to Glasgow last weekend wasn’t the start that he or Leinster wanted but Saturday’s home game against the Sharks at the URC will be another opportunity for all concerned to get the season up and running.

“This season is just trying to do everything I can to put myself in a position that, if I get the opportunity [for Ireland], I’m ready. That starts here with Leinster. You have to be playing well and you have to be putting your hand up.”