Jordan Larmour finding his way again with Leinster

Jordan Larmour at Leinster Rugby training at Rosemount in UCD on Monday. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher

Jordan Larmour doesn’t blink when told he scored more tries last season for Leinster than ever before. Not a raised eyebrow, a blow of the cheeks or hint of a smile. The stat and its significance leave no visible impression as they land.

We hear plenty about the ‘group’, how there is no ‘i’ in team when it comes to sports. That’s fine, but this is a back three player here. Their job is to be the pointy end of the spear, to do the necessary that literally gets their team over the line.

Christian Wade gave voice to this singular approach in recent weeks when the new Gloucester wing targeted Chris Ashton’s Premiership try-scoring record. It was actually refreshing to hear in an era where hookers hog the scoresheet more than most.

Larmour’s is the kind of role that you imagine requires a selfish streak. Like a goalscorer in football. Claiming ten tries in just 19 games for his province last year was a notable strike rate and yet he wasn’t even aware that it had been his best haul yet.

"No. It's always nice to score a try,” he said ahead of Friday’s URC game against the Dragons at the Aviva Stadium. “Don't get me wrong, I always love scoring tries, but it's not something I've ever counted. I'll just keep trying to score more.” He’s gone about it the right way this term with another five-pointer on opening night away to Edinburgh last Friday. He isn’t crowing about that one either, not least because he had little to do apart from stroll unopposed over the chalk.

If we’re being picky then his eight scores in 12 games three seasons ago was his most ‘productive’ season to date, but his latest numbers are highly encouraging for a player with a trademark sidestep and turn of pace who seemed to lose his way.

Larmour had fallen out of favour with Leinster where he failed to feature in their biggest games come the spring. He went the bones of three years without a Test cap before managing two in the last Six Nations, one at 15, the other off the bench.

There is no one thing that stands out for his return to form and favour.

He never lost sight of the fact that his ability to find space and half-breaks was his USP. If there’s one small detail that he feels might have helped more than most then it’s in how he stopped thinking that he always has to make something happen.

“Then you're chasing something,” he explained. “That's when you make a mistake, so I'm trying to see the game out in front of me and, if an opportunity comes, just trying to take it. That comes with backing myself.” 

His overall record with Leinster hides any dips and troubles he may have had on the field in the past with 44 tries across his 102 appearances to date. If seven in 32 Ireland runs looks an area with scope for improvement then there is no doubt that last year was still a major statement.

"Definitely. When you start stacking up games on each other and you're having good performances, that always helps with your confidence and you want to keep on playing, keep on going.

“Staying injury-free last season gave me that opportunity to start big games, that definitely got my confidence up. I was back playing with a smile on my face, I was loving every second of it. Hopefully, it's the same this season.” Here’s where the team player shines through again.

Larmour in action against Edinburgh

For all his personal development, the campaign ended in disappointment for Leinster who once again fell at the final hurdle in the Champions Cup and found themselves eliminated from the URC playoffs at the semi-final stage.

Larmour was a non-playing member of the Ireland squad that drew the South Africa summer series 1-1. He followed that up with some time off and a good five-to-six-week pre-season. The body feels as good as the mind now for it.

It promises to be another interesting season. Leinster’s leaning towards 6:2 bench splits will squeeze opportunities in the back three if they lean into it again and the arrival of Jordie Barrett late in the year will likely only accentuate that.

The 27-year old Larmour will take all that, and the question of how plays No.10 for Leinster and when, as it comes. Helping him along the way will be new attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal whose calm exterior seems to match his own.

"I haven't seen him flustered yet, he's very chilled. He has been brilliant so far, he has brought great energy around the place. We've all loved having him in. He has brought a few more ideas in attack which you'll hopefully see on the weekend. He has been great so far.”