From red to blue with flying colours

Stephen Keogh insists moving to Leinster was no culture shock. Gavin Cummiskeyreports

We could harp on about the Munster dog of war finally adding some bite to a toothless Leinster eight but that would be a tad unfair on a pack that survived the rigours of Bath and Toulouse last season.

Still, Munster have set the bar for forward ferocity since the turn of the century.

In the closing stages of the New Year's Eve encounter at Lansdowne Road the camera focused on Stephen Keogh as the rugged Shannon flanker was named man of the match. Despite a raft of contenders, he was that little bit special.

Keogh came into the Leinster press conference this week with an engaging demeanour, offset by a typically straight-bat response to questions of which he is, understandably, beginning to tire.

It started right from the top:

"Stephen, what's the difference between playing for Leinster and Munster?"

The eyes rolled briefly before he provided the usual reply.

"It's a question that's been asked a lot of times now. There's not really a big difference. The lads work as hard up here as they do down there. The training is practically the same. I'm really enjoying it up here. It's a good brand of rugby, probably not as structured as the way Munster play."

Even when asked to elaborate, as he always is, he said: "If Leinster have very good backs they say the forwards are weak, if Munster have very good forwards they say the backs are weak, you know? You play what the game brings you. If we have to play it in the forwards, we will and I'm sure if Munster have to spread the ball, they will."

Everyone knows the real answer. Just roll the video from May 20th, 2006, or, more salient, the destruction of Leinster on their own turf last April.

Only problem is there aren't too many more question to ask Stephen Keogh. He's a low-profile grafter. The man undoubtedly cut from Munster marble has suffered no adverse effects from the constant traffic jams between Sandyford to Donnybrook after four years gathering splinters on the Cork-Limerick road. This 24-year-old has high aspirations.

By adding Keogh and another Munster convert, Trevor Hogan, to his squad, Michael Cheika vastly improved Leinster's muscle mass - not enough, mind, to threaten Munster in Thomond Park.

Keogh would have fitted perfectly into Declan Kidney's plans over the festive period, what with Anthony Foley nursing a shoulder and Alan Quinlan suspended. Instead he was trying to smash a hole through his former team-mates' famed defence.

"Thomond Park is a very difficult place to go and win. We let ourselves down in certain aspects of the game. Far too much turnover ball and lost a lot of ball in contact. At least we got the win last weekend to soften the blow."

Any abuse down there?

"Not really. I was just trying to concentrate on the game. I didn't get any banter (from the crowd). There was a bit from the lads alright but that's expected. It was enjoyable to go down and play alright."

So, no animosity?

"Just Denis Leamy (the former team-mates exchanged New Year informalities several times). No, only messing. They understand I wanted the games week in, week out. They all supported the move. I still have great mates down there. It was a career move."

When it came to signing on the dotted line last year, Keogh took a calculated risk (it might have hurt his chances of making the bench for the European Cup final; a fit again Alan Quinlan usurped him at the 11th hour). He had been moving up the Munster queue and they made a decent pitch to keep him in red.

The option to turn blue offers a chance to reignite a stalled career. Keogh came from obscurity in 2004 to make his first European start in the truly epic 37-32 semi-final defeat by Wasps at Lansdowne Road. One barnstorming break allowed Foley over for a try that put Munster in the ascendancy.

Keogh looked comfortable in the deep end. So did Denis Leamy, who burst on the scene the following season to dislodge all comers. Keogh returned to the bench; actually, he slunk back to the AIL with Shannon.

There were no guarantees of cementing a place on the Leinster blindside. Cameron Jowitt had a promising debut season, while the World Cup winner Owen Finegan (albeit 34) moved to Dublin last summer.

Confirmation that Keogh possesses the mental fortitude required of a top-class professional came when Cheika dropped him last October for Munster's first visit to Lansdowne Road since that famous 30-6 semi-final victory.

One can only imagine how tough a pill that was to swallow - being left out against your former team is an ignominy that could make a man snap.

"I picked Cameron," explains Cheika deadpan. "He (Keogh) wasn't happy about it but he bit his tongue. He dug in and worked harder. That's what he does.

"There are a lot of things that hurt in life. It's about how you deal with them and then come back from them. He didn't whinge or complain; he just got on with the business of getting himself right. I respect him a lot as a footballer. He's a good player.

"Early on there were parts of his game that just weren't up to scratch and he acknowledged that. He's worked hard, done his business, and now through good form he is occupying the jumper."

A good player who has addressed deficiencies in his game. Clichés die hard. Sure, isn't Keogh just a tough Limerick nut with no hands?

"After training he is there passing with (David) Knox," continued Cheika. "The backs might be practising something and he just jumps in with them. So does Trevor Hogan. He is acutely aware he wants to up his skill level. He's got different qualities and he wants to work on his weaknesses, which are now becoming strengths. When he does that he starts to . . . (apply) pressure for selection. He obviously wants to go further in his career. That will do it for him if he keeps working hard."

A point comes in everyone's career - be he rugby player or binman - where he can merely collect the monthly pay cheque or earn it. Many prefer the former option.

"I think it's a confidence thing really. At times I was under so much pressure at Munster to play well because I wasn't in the team. I wasn't afraid to try things but I probably have more confidence now because I'm playing week in, week out. I'd be well comfortable throwing a pass or anything.

"I don't think there was any pressure from coaches (in Munster). They say go out and play your own game but from myself there was a bit of pressure. You think . . . what if this ball doesn't go to hand."

It's not always going to stick but he's the man in possession right now. Number six.

Even the returning Shane Jennings may have to join the queue if the Keogh graph continues to rise.