Ireland v France Interview with Kevin MaggsAfter watching Ireland play a Six Nations match at home this season Kevin Maggs tells John O'Sullivan how much he appreciates playing

The obvious analogy would be to parcel Kevin Maggs as a father-figure style influence as befits a player who tomorrow will win his 68th cap for Ireland, third in the list of Irish Test rugby's all-time alumni behind team-mate Malcolm O'Kelly and the legendary Mike Gibson.

The fact that he became a father for the first time the day after Ireland beat Scotland at Murrayfield neatly frames the image. Attending the birth of his baby daughter Jessica was a little more fraught than he initially envisaged.

Maggs explained: "I was obviously out celebrating with the lads thinking that I had til Monday because my wife (Jane) wasn't due, not booked in until then. Little did I know, I got a phone call at 4am to say that her waters had broken and could I get back as quickly as possible.

"It was a mad taxi dash from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then a flight back. There was another mad taxi dash from Belfast International Airport to the Ulster hospital. I managed to make it with an hour to spare."

It made it a weekend to savour as Maggs had played a conspicuous role in Ireland's victory over the Scots, most prominently when forcing the turnover that led to Denis Hickie scooting over for a try in the corner. He had been called back to the international side following injuries to Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy.

It was his time on the sofa watching Ireland's opening Six Nations Championship match against Italy at Stadio Flaminio that prompted him to make an impassioned plea to his team-mates before the Scottish match. Maggs is a quietly spoken if hugely popular figure within the national set-up. He chose his words carefully but didn't hold back.

When pressed he reluctantly admits: "I just basically said to the boys (to be aware of) the importance of what it is they have actually got. It's being in such a great team, having a great atmosphere round the place, getting on well and having great craic together. It's about backing the boys, the rest of the team.

"I actually watched the Italian match at home and I just said what it was like to come back into the squad when I did for the Scotland game. We had to perform, especially the forwards and they did. They were brilliant. It's down to making the boys appreciate what they do have and feeling sorry for the boys that miss out."

In essence the message asked those who were given the coveted green jersey not to take anything for granted as there were others who desperately wanted to be out there.

The arrival of Jessica has provided Maggs with a different perspective on life, more cognisant of things that matter in rugby and outside of the sport.

"It means you look at everything differently and you appreciate things a great deal more because you have this little person relying on you to take care of them and love them as much as you can. It's amazing. That's why I'm looking forward to this (being a father)."

Having played against the Scots and performed capably, Maggs gave way to the returning O'Driscoll for the England game. He understood and at least this time he had the consolation of being on the bench.

"Once you're outside, you are left imagining everything that is going on, the laugh the boys are having, how training is going and what's going on behind the scenes. It was just a question of helping and supporting the other guys who were taking the field and back them up as much as possible.

"It certainly does make you appreciate it so much more. It'll be the same when Shane (Horgan) and Gordon (D'Arcy) come back. It'll drive them on to bigger things."

Reunited with his long-time midfield buddy O'Driscoll, Maggs plays down the disruption caused by the constant chopping and changing in that area of the team.

"We have got strength in depth. When there is a problem or injuries we have got someone who can step up to the plate and take control of it. I don't see it as a problem. I have played with Brian on many occasions (and am) just looking forward to Saturday.

"It always starts with up front in the forwards. The midfield is obviously going to be another area of contact with their strong partnership. I'll certainly be looking to confront them as much as possible."

The last statement pretty much encapsulates Maggs. He won't shirk any duty, won't take a backward step and will expend everything in pursuit of victory. He is the ultimate team man.

It has served the player and his country well in the past and there is little to suggest that'll change tomorrow.