Dunne has unfinished business

RUGBY/Interview: John O'Sullivan talks to Harlequins outhalf Andy Dunne, a player Leinster let slip through the net.Andy Dunne laughed as he considered the past seven days in which his stock as an outhalf rose appreciably in the light of events at Lansdowne Road last Friday night.

Leinster's 23-22 Heineken European Cup defeat to the Sale Sharks is pretty debilitating in their quest for a place in the knock-out stages but the manner of that loss was particularly galling. Leinster played poorly in the first half, raised the level of performance after the interval and were afforded enough chances to win the game.

Defeat required scapegoats and Leinster's unfortunate outhalf Mattie Leek was the prime target. He didn't play well by his or anyone's standards but culpability extended beyond the outhalf. Leek provided an easy mark. Those that had lambasted the previous incumbent, Christian Warner, now lamented his absence through injury.

While keening for Warner, there was another lament, for one Andrew Dunne, exiled in London, playing for NEC Harlequins and performing extremely well. Up until last summer Dunne was a Leinster player, an outstanding prospect dogged by cruel misfortune but one who had struggled to convince then coach Matt Williams he could command the number 10 jersey.

There were flashes of brilliance - the legendary Welsh and Lions outhalf Phil Bennett said he was the best young outhalf he'd seen in years after Dunne's display against Llanelli - but Dunne never managed to stay around long enough. In the previous two years he had ankle and shoulder reconstruction and broken his arm and a leg.

Williams told him if he wanted to hang around, they'd find a contract for him. Damned by the lukewarm offer, Dunne had been contacted by Harlequins in December 2002. They wanted him while Leinster were apathetic. It was a relatively straightforward decision rendered even more facile with the knowledge Argentinian outhalf Felipe Contepomi would be joining Leinster.

The 24-year-old signed for Harlequins where he would be joined by Gavin Duffy, Simon Keogh and Benny Willis. Fellow Irish players Paul Burke and Mel Deane were already at the club. As Dunne headed for London, Williams resigned as Leinster coach. He never batted an eyelid.

Of the 16 or so matches Harlequins have played this season, Dunne has played a part in every one. Prior to damaging an elbow that kept him sidelined in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup victory over Montauban he had started the last six games. He has also won try of the month in the English Premiership.

"Things are going well enough and I'm really enjoying myself. Having said that I missed the Montauban match, Burkey came back in and was voted man of the match, so it could all change," he laughed.

The former Ireland Schools and Ireland under-21 player set himself a simple goal at the start of the season; to play as many games as possible and hopefully avoid serious injury.

"I wanted to develop as a player, be a better distributor and improve my kicking game. I knew I could run but I was also aware I had to improve my control over matches. I'm making reasonable progress."

It's typically self-effacing of a player whose modesty belies a huge talent. A brilliant schoolboy international, he was touted as a future senior international outhalf but injury has stymied his progress, not least while at Leinster.

"I fully understand why I was let go by Leinster. You can't hope to survive based on a reputation. I'd been injured on and off for two years. I played some good matches but I just couldn't avoid the injuries. Leaving wasn't an easy decision as I have plenty of good mates in Leinster.

"I follow their results, am disappointed when they lose and keep in touch. I'd heard that my name cropped up back in Dublin last week and that's very flattering. But I'm a Harlequins player now, enjoying my rugby and hoping one day I will realise my dream to play for Ireland.

"I have more mundane ambitions in the short-term. I would like to go back to Leinster one day but I have a two-year contract here at Harlequins. I'm enjoying it and I'm learning."

If Dunne stays injury free his name may crop up on an increasingly regular basis in his native Dublin.