Six Nations: Keatley has his moment in the number 10 jersey

Some lessons can only be learned the hard way. Everyone knows it will be so, but Ian Keatley talking himself out of Ireland's number 10 jersey against France in Dublin next Saturday surely wasn't in the 27-year-old's head when entering Stadio Olimpico's media pen.

“Johnny has been the number 10 in Ireland for the last three, four, five years and he’s one of the top 10s in the world, like, he showed it with the Lions.” Agreed, but the honesty of the man refused to ignore the obvious.

“I think with Johnny coming back next week it’s only a good thing. It’s going to strengthen our squad. Ireland is a better team when Johnny is in it,” Keatley added.

Problem here is that leaves no room for him, possibly not even in the match day squad considering Ian Madigan’s established ability to also cover inside centre.

These were to be Keatley’s last words before he was corralled onto Ireland’s grumbling team bus. So we added to the strict number of questions allowed to offer him the chance of some qualification before Sexton’s inevitable return.

“If I just say that Johnny is number one choice then I won’t improve as a player. If you don’t aspire to keep getting up the pecking order you’re going to stay the same or not improve. I’m going to keep working on my game and hopefully keep putting the pressure on.”

Keatley's Six Nations debut, while ending with a flourish when attacking as if draped in red, was as turbulent as the flight home.

“I had a little bit of a shaky first 10 minutes,” he agreed. “I was a bit nervous, understandably, but once I got that first kick, and then got myself into the game, I felt comfortable out there.”

The Keatley moments then.

First penalty

Six minutes: Lands that first penalty from the right side. Well struck, routine established.

Eight minutes: undercooks cross field punt for Simon Zebo that's easily gathered by Leonardo Sarto.

10 minutes: Forcing matters now, his reverse pass for Tommy O’Donnell is forward and bounces off the flanker’s chest.

12 minutes: Sergio Parisse powers through midfield, off rare Italian lineout ball, but Keatley's technique chops down Italy's captain. Parisse is felled but still hurts the intended target.

“I got a knock . . . just injured one of the nerves and it sent a shudder down my leg. You expect that when you’re a 10. Teams always go down that 10 channel so nothing new there.”

14 minutes: The Italians relentlessly target him; Luca Morisi blocks down a kick which forces Jordi Murphy to scramble backwards and retrieve possession.

20 minutes: Keatley knocks over a second penalty as the game settles into its monotonous narrative.

31 minutes: Conor Murray has taken over, Keatley mostly adopting a watching brief, as 11 individual carries edge into Italy's 22 without yielding any points when the enthusiastic Simon Zebo is turned over for not releasing.

33 minutes: The Irish forwards are dominating territory and possession. Keatley is settled enough to ignore Paul O’Connell’s order to take a long shot at goal.

35 minutes: The decision pays off when a sturdy lineout maul creates an easier penalty following more Italian indiscretion. Keatley makes it 9-0 and starts looking the international outhalf he has taken so long to become.

Roundabout route

“I suppose I went on a roundabout route to get to where I am,” he said of the AIL,

Leinster

, Connacht and now

Munster

journey. “I always worked very hard, trained very hard, knowing that if I ever got this opportunity I would be in a good frame of mind and know that I have the game to hopefully play at this level.

“There are players who are superstars at an early age and break through. And then there are others who have to work away to get there.

“Luck plays a part as well: some players get it, some don’t. You just have to be ready when it comes.”

Anthony Foley, and Rob Penney before him, played their part by trusting Keatley over the younger, more naturally talented JJ Hanrahan.

“The only way you’re going to get into the Ireland team is playing well for your club and I suppose playing first-choice for Munster has helped me to get to where I am. To be honest with you I’ve got a taste for it now and I want to keep working hard and stay up at this level.”

That will require another Sexton injury. Should that happen again this investment will feel worthwhile .