Offaly native Milne keen on Croker involvement
PUMPING IRON: Leinster's Michael Milne. Pic: Harry Murphy, Sportsfile
ccasions at Croke Park don’t roll around too often for those playing a sport with an oval ball. They aren’t very forthcoming for county Offaly natives either.
Leinster prop Michael Milne - Birr born and bred - is hoping to be part on his province’s upcoming Champions Cup semi-final Croker appearance, but knows he can’t look past this Saturday’s tussle with the Stormers in Cape Town.
“Well, I’m from Offaly so we don’t get there often,” Milne said.
“The last time I was in Croke Park was watching the Under-20 footballers beat Roscommon [in 2021] so I’ll never forget it.
“It’s a huge incentive, not just because it’s Croke Park, it’s a Champions Cup semi-final. You really want to be involved. As a rugby player, that’s what you strive for.
“Especially Croke Park, as an Offaly man you look back at the days of Offaly of old. We can’t look past this weekend, first we go to war against Stormers but it’s definitely an incentive.”
Milne and the rest of Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber’s Leinster charges - minus a number of internationals - will be looking to bounce back from an unexpected heavy 44-12 defeat to the Lions - only their third of the season - last weekend.
While still top of the United Rugby Championship standings, the 25-year-old knows there are areas that need improving ahead of the second-leg of their South African sojourn.
“Obviously Saturday was a big disappointment for us, but we’re probably very lucky we’ve a few experienced players and obviously some world class coaches.
“We’re able to have honest meetings and I think that’s the big thing, isn’t it? You can just get over it then and then make sure we’re onto the Stormers, that type of way.”
He continued: “Our man on man collisions need to improve. The Lions really took it to us. They decided they were going to run over the top of us and sometimes we let them do it so that’s not something we provide ourselves on, especially with Jacques.
“That’s something we need to improve on. Our lineout D and attack was very good...fronting up this weekend is the main thing.”
Milne insists that honesty is the best policy after a defeat like the Lions one. Even if he didn’t see it that way, that’s the way it’s coming from Cullen. Like it or lump it.
“I think he’s just honest, which is probably the great thing about Leo. He doesn’t sugar coat it, we weren’t good enough. As a player, all you want is coaches to be honest and tell you how it is. Him, Jacques, Goodie (Andrew Goodman) definitely are.
“That’s all you want because then you can move on and focus on different performances.
“There’s no point in lying to us and we all know. Everyone is a good player here, so we’re definitely honest.”
After missing the beginning of the season due to a shoulder injury, Milne has now made five appearances this term, scoring three tries along the way, including a brace against Cardiff.
“I came into the season hoping… I got surgery at the end of the season and I was like ‘right, 10 weeks, I’m going to go hard now for rehab’. It didn’t turn out like that.
“At that 10 week mark, I ended up getting another surgery. It was tough enough and then you see lads going well. Especially in Leinster, because it goes so well when they play.
“Look, I’m past all that now, so I’m delighted to get some games and tearing into some South Africans. I’m loving it, it’s good.”
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