Eager to reach a fresh peak

If success in rugby is guaranteed by character, then John McWeeney will one day return to grace the national side. At present the St Mary's College wing is preoccupied with his club's AIB final against Lansdowne.

Just over a week short of his 24th birthday McWeeney seems to be a little young for reflection but he has managed to sandwich a great deal into his senior rugby career. On Saturday, November 15th, 1997, he made his debut for Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

He had played just six matches for St Mary's and seven for Leinster at that juncture: it could not have prepared him to play against New Zealand. It was to be a difficult afternoon for him but that has not spoiled the memory. "I would not trade my cap for anything in the world.

"I definitely did not do myself justice and if I had the time again I would like to have done better, but there are no regrets. I played for Ireland at 21 and that was my greatest ambition." To make his debut against the All Blacks just sugar coated the experience.

There have been few peaks for the young St Mary's wing in the intervening years. This season and the arrival of Australian backs coach Matt Williams at Leinster has allowed McWeeney to develop as a player. "I think when Matt arrived initially he wasn't sure of my role in the team. He possibly identified me as a weak link and looked to fill my position elsewhere."

McWeeney knuckled down after being dropped, worked harder in training, on his ball skills and kicking and won back a place in the provincial team. His appetite to learn, to work harder and to push himself are qualities that suggest he can force his way back into national squads. His honesty is also admirable. "I know I've got to improve areas of my game, principally my kicking.

"I appreciate that I need to up my work-rate and hit a little harder in the tackle. I am looking forward to working hard this summer and taking it from there."

McWeeney's qualities are obvious, strong, quick and a fine finisher, exemplified in the 10 tries he has registered during the present league campaign; he has scored in eight out of 12 matches, including a hat-trick against Clontarf.

He is an integral part of the much-lauded St Mary's back three alongside Denis Hickie and Peter McKenna and is hoping for a plentiful supply of possession. "People have said that we haven't used the back three as often as we should but it's not that straightforward. There is a cup match sensation to the knockout stages of the league and teams are always going to err on the side of caution.

"Winning is what Saturday's all about." If St Mary's manage that, then few would bet against McWeeney playing a leading role at Lansdowne Road.