Tom Ahern: 'European rugby with Munster, it doesn’t come much bigger than that'
COOL CUSTOMER: Tom Ahern celebrates scoring his second try against Glasgow Warriors. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Tom Ahern hopes his newfound versatility after a long rehabilitation can reward him with a first Champions Cup start when the big show rolls into town this week.
The 6-foot, 9-inch Munster forward missed almost all of last season after shoulder surgery so he resolved to hit the ground running this autumn.
That he has done, with four tries to his name so far this season as he utilises the extra freedom that his new blindside flanker role provides.
He only filled that position in the past fortnight but he found himself hugging the touchline for two tries and was involved in the move for another in the 40-29 victory over Glasgow Warriors.
“It’s come with switching back to six. Prendy (Mike Prendergast) gives us a bit more licence to hang out in the channels,” explains Ahern.
“We obviously come in and help the boys when we can but the back row, six and seven, are linking in with the backs and you get a bit more space out wide, which is nice.
“I hadn’t thought about it prior to this whatsoever. I played six for Waterpark under-18s but other than that, it’s the first time since then.
“Wig (Graham Rowntree) said it to me earlier last week that we were going to give a go at it and see how we go. Lucky enough, there’s plenty of other good experienced back rows with me, chatting me through all the plays, what to do and what not to do.
“I can’t complain. It’s always good to be more versatile so I’m happy enough with that.”
To be fair, it’s far from the first time Ahern has demonstrated his versatility on a rugby field. He was a full-back as a teenager, which explains his nose for the tryline in those wide positions.
When did transition into the pack?
“At 17 when I shot up about six inches,” he chuckles. “I got a bit too tall for it. I got shifted to the second row then.”
He wears his towering stature lightly. When a journalist bangs his head on the sloping media room ceiling, Ahern jokes: “That’s normally me”.
He has demonstrated a more abrasive attitude this season but that hasn’t come naturally.
“No, it’s a big work-on for me, that tight work with the carries, the barrels, and stuff like that. I’ve very good coaching with (Denis) Leamy and Kyri (Andi Kyriacou) and even Wig himself. I still have a long way to go, just trying to work around that contact skills.
“It’s getting better but there’s still a good bit to go.”
The 23-year-old Ardmore native has had to stay patient along the way. Of his 30 Munster appearances, 20 have come off the bench which speaks to the challenge of breaking into that pack.
“We’ve got such a competitive squad. When you’re younger, everybody goes through that small phase of a bit of frustration and wanting to get into the team but it’s all about being patient, keep working in the background, and eventually, it’ll pay off.
“It was a frustrating season last year. I set the goal that I was going to hit the ground running this pre-season and the start of the season so hopefully I’m doing that. Staying injury-free is another help for me.
“That’s what it’s about, game-time. I’m delighted to be in the mix the last few weeks and hopefully I can keep getting better and working on some of the work-ons I have and it can continue.”
This week will be used to reinforce Munster’s maul defence which leaked five tries to the Warriors at Musgrave Park.
Saturday’s opponents Bayonne will have no hesitation in exploiting any weakness in that department.
“It’s just not good enough from us,” says Ahern. “We pride ourselves on our maul defence, our scrum, and our set piece. We do plenty of work on it but it wasn’t good enough.
“Bayonne have quite a good maul so we’ve got to make massive improvements in there.”
Ahern hopes he’ll be at the centre of it all, soaking in the experience.
“It’s European rugby with Munster and it doesn’t come much bigger than that. Especially with what I presume is going to be a packed-out Thomond Park.
“These are the games you dream of playing in so hopefully, we’ll see.”
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