Kearney free to take wing

Rob Kearney tells Johnny Watterson why the Leinster philosophy has helped him become a better player

This time last year Rob Kearney's New Year wish might have been that the Leinster coach would become aware of his existence. Now, after a brief four months on the wing, the 19-year-old former Clongowes Wood player has, from a low-wattage glow as a promising junior, ignited the Leinster flank and made it his own. In the absence through injury of the long-time incumbent Denis Hickie, Kearney's effectiveness for coach Michael Cheika has been impressive.

From 12 official Leinster caps, Kearney has pocketed six tries. Add in the friendly against Parma and his tally reaches nine. That his Leinster senior debut was against Ospreys at the Morfa stadium in Swansea on September 9th underscores the fact Kearney is not only the youngest on the team but also a veritable tyro.

In four Heineken European Cup matches, the first of which was his debut in October 22nd against Bath in the RDS, he has scored three tries. More recently, he has been claiming high ball, making space his own, growing in confidence. He has been the revelation of the new season.

"At the start of the season I was still in the academy," he says. "My primary goal was just to set up some involvement in the squad of 40 players or so. Since then I've had a couple of great opportunities and it's just snowballed from there.

"I think it's very easy to become overwhelmed by it, but I'm playing with fantastic players with huge experience. Yeah, six tries and the three against Parma - but I wouldn't really count that as a competitive game. As I play more and more I'm becoming more confident in myself and the game plan and in the boys around me. I can feel myself growing so much in every game."

Cheika's method has been to reward players who can elude tackles, offload in contact, stretch defensive lines and retain possession. In essence, the more mobile, athletic players get their chance, and, in the absence of a big pack, the high-tempo style has suited strong runners who can make space for themselves.

Kearney's skills have complemented Cheika's system, which is far from the finished article but certainly moving forward. It is also becoming more instinctive to the players. The winger sees a lot of ball. What has been good thus far is what he has been able to do with it.

"It's great. My levels of involvement, looking at the stats and videos, has been fantastic. It's a credit to the style we play and I'm delighted for that style and the players around who have the skill to get the ball out that far and to get the wings involved.

"I think it shows a level of confidence in each other. From two weeks before last weekend we knew where Bourgoin's weaknesses were and we knew we had to start exploiting those weaknesses and show some initiative. You're always very hesitant to try things that you don't know you're able to do. The first game against Bourgoin was an eye-opener to ourselves, in that we could play that style of rugby."

Last time out against Ulster, in Donnybrook, Hickie got Leinster's winning try. This week, Kearney could come up against Tommy Bowe, at present tanning his body with the rest of the Irish squad in Lanzarote.

Last month coach Eddie O'Sullivan was asked to explain why he has not invited players such as Trevor Brennan and Bob Casey into his squad. There might too have been a case for Kearney to rub shoulders with frontline players this week. When asked if he would like to have gone, he could hardly dissemble.

"I suppose I would. Nice and sunny out there. Could do with a little bit of colour," he says diplomatically.

Instead it's back to Carlingford for Christmas. Back to the family - and no New Year's wishes other than more of the same.