D'Arcy makes league debut

Gordon D'Arcy will make a long awaited competitive debut for Lansdowne in Saturday's AIB League Division One clash with Terenure College at Lakelands. A hamstring injury, sustained while on duty with Leinster, has kept the teenager sidelined for two months. His progress from captaining Clongowes Wood College to Leinster Schools Senior Cup glory last season to playing for Leinster in the European Cup is startling even for a player of his undoubted talent. Irish Schools honours, which included victories over Scotland and Wales and a narrow defeat by England, naturally ensued for the strong-running full-back.

Latent potential persuaded Irish coach Warren Gatland to offer him a place in the national senior squad that toured South Africa during the summer. D'Arcy turned down the invitation because of exam commitments.

Leinster coach Mike Ruddock decided that D'Arcy merited a place on the provincial A side before promoting him to the senior team for a friendly in Scotland and then, because of injury, a place against Llanelli in Leinster's opening European Cup tie.

Schoolboy fiction demanded that D'Arcy was thrust into the hero's role and he duly obliged by grabbing the winning score, a neat individual try hall-marked by ability and confidence. Despite his reticence for the spotlight, it has dogged his every move on the pitch.

Despite playing out of position on the wing, D'Arcy demonstrated his pedigree in scoring tries against internationals Tony Stanger (Scotland) and Wayne Proctor (Wales). Vision, strength, timing, the ability to exploit and create space are attributes which have precipitated his elevation.

Leinster team manager Jim Glennon pointed out: "He came from schools rugby with a very high reputation and embellished this while playing for the Leinster A side. He was thrown in at the deep end on the full provincial side in terms of being asked to play on the wing and acquitted himself very well.

"I am delighted to hear that he is finally settling down to the bread and butter rugby of the All-Ireland League. I think that he will benefit from spending time at this level."

Glennon agreed that D'Arcy had shot, in a playing capacity, from Level One to Level Four per se, and that he needed to spend time at Level Two.

The hamstring injury may possibly have been a blessing in disguise, allowing him to slip out of the fast lane and on to the hard shoulder. This Saturday he will once again drift into the public consciousness and media focus when he runs out at Lakelands.

Lansdowne coach Mick Cosgrave has selected D'Arcy on the left wing, a position he occupied with Leinster. Rory Kearns' excellence with the boot and some fine performances generally have ensured that the full-back slot is his for the foreseeable future. Niall Gunne is the player to step down.

There is one further change to the team that defeated Clontarf 15-3 in the last round of matches. Angus McKeen, suspended harshly, following an incident while playing for Leinster against Begles-Bordeaux in France, has served his time and is once again available. He replaces Enda Bohan at tight-head prop.