Making mark with Leinster the focus for Cronin after New Zealand sojourn

THERE IS little lament in Seán Cronin’s voice. Second-choice hooker to Rory Best after Jerry Flannery limped out of the World Cup was, well, good opportunity and bad timing as the Ulster man hit the form of his life in New Zealand. Cronin’s two appearances had merit but sitting it out watching his team rival blazing is no comfortable place to be.

Cronin is, as they say, sucking it up, refocusing.

This week’s match in the domestic RaboDirect PRO 12 league against Edinburgh is another chapter in a patchwork year of changing campaigns. The importance of Leinster’s visit to Murrayfield on Friday hinges on its position in the calendar; a week before facing Munster at the Aviva Stadium, two weeks before the Heineken Cup kicks off against Montpellier in Stade de la Mosson on November 12th.

“I’m ready to go at this stage,” says Cronin, a little exotic looking with his burnished face on a day of Biblical rain. Four days in Abu Dhabi on his way back from New Zealand saw to the pre-winter holiday. “The World Cup was a great experience to be involved in and I’m back now. I’m just trying to get back integrated with the squad in terms of combinations and getting to know team-mates. I’m looking forward to getting a run of games, hopefully.”

The “hopefully” is in part being deferential to the ability of Richardt Strauss, who had a storming season last year and has kicked off again with intent. But Cronin returns to Dublin with the World Cup as a launch pad to better things. He’s rocking with enthusiasm, has the glint in his eye.

“It’s huge motivation to be coming back after being involved in a competition like that. It’s the same coming out of the Autumn Internationals or the Six Nations, especially when you get limited game time, you’re chomping at the bit to get back in. So I’m feeling fresh. Obviously I’m new here so I’m just trying to impress the coaches.”

The European model for the bigger teams has been to have two strong players in each position and while Edinburgh are first on the Leinster menu and the old chestnut of one game at a time persists, Munster and Montpellier on successive weeks may well demand two top-class hookers.

“I thought he did tremendous here last year,” says Cronin on Strauss. “I think it can only help you. It can only benefit you against a player like him and I think if you look at every top European side, they have at least two really good players in each position. I hope what’s going to happen now is that we’re going to drive each other on for the rest of the season.”

Cronin was moved up to the Ireland bench at the World Cup when Flannery’s calf muscle problems resurfaced in Ireland’s first pool match against USA. He sat it out against Australia, played the whole game against Russia, came on as a replacement in the match with Italy and watched Best from the bench for the entirety of the final game against Wales.

Cronin is also arriving to a new coach and a new squad following his move from Connacht over the summer. The 25-year-old prefers to see the next few weeks as well as the two-year deal agreed with Leinster as an opportunity. He is also aware his last competitive start was against Russia in Ireland’s second pool match.

“Obviously the preparation was firmly focused on the World Cup over the summer so I’ve to get the head down now, get to know my coaches and team-mates. I know most of the lads from playing underage in the schools and the 21s but it’s about trying to get fluency with them here and get selected for the team.

“Last Wednesday (in training), it was grand. We were only off for about 10 days so you can’t get too unfit in 10 days. It was a nice break and I’m motivated now. Hopefully selection will come and I’ll be involved at the weekend.”

The World Cup is over. Long live the PRO 12.