Rookie on the fast track to greater recognition

European Cup interview: Gerry Thornley talks to winger Brendan Burke, a player who is just beginning to make a big impression for Leinster.

He's young, he's hungry, he's talented and he's seriously quick. Brendan Burke looks set to go a long way, and the 2007 World Cup seems a realistic long-term target, but for now he's quite content to continue making his mark in his rookie season. He's doing that, and more.

Not the least significant factor in moving Gordon D'Arcy to the number 13 jersey normally filled by Brian O'Driscoll, is that it accommodated Burke's finishing ability as well as his big left boot - "though not much accuracy," he jokes.

Leinster coach Gary Ella this week conceded it was a tactical kicking variation that they had been lacking.

Another of the 22-year-old's impressive characteristics is his temperament.

A quiet, but easy-going, relaxed young player, he's not one of those afflicted by pre-match nerves and takes his elevation this season in his stride.

"I don't think it matters who Brendan is playing against, he's out there to have a good time," says Ella. "He wants to get his hands on the ball as much as possible and he certainly doesn't make many mistakes. He hasn't missed a tackle all year, and he's tackled some awfully big blokes from wings to front-row forwards. He's got a lot of heart and I think the players enjoy having him on the field, and they're very confident in him."

Burke is the second youngest of five rugby-playing boys from Leixlip who took to rugby at Barnhall from under-six mini rugby like the proverbial duck to water. Conrad, the outhalf and paternal oldest brother, Declan (another winger, now working as an English teacher in Korea), Eoin, a seriously talented 27-year-old scrumhalf, and the 19-year-old Paul, another winger. Earlier this season all bar Declan played together for the first time.

"It was great buzz, and interesting as well. It was pretty much the entire back line," he says.

So, a pacey bloodline then?

"Not really," he laughs.

His uncle was a long-distance runner for Connacht, and his grandmother played camogie for Clare "years and years ago, but that's about it". His dad, Eugene, played a bit of hurling, and all the boys played plenty of Gaelic football - Burke himself with St Mary's in Leixlip right up until last year as well as soccer, hurling and handball, but rugby was always his favourite.

Roving between scrumhalf, outhalf, wing and full back, his talent stood out to Trevor Brennan, an inspiring figure for Burke, when he coached him as a 10-year-old. "He stood out even then, quick, good hands, a real footballer."

Though two years on the IRFU academy was important for his development, his story is a credit to the AIL, Barnhall and the willingness of his coach, Ian Morgan, to blood him at 17.

"It was grand being in the academy but the academy only play about four games. So I think you need to be playing for your club. Even Division Two is quite a good standard, and you're playing with and against some good players. Barnhall has quite a good under-age set-up and the youth section is getting stronger and stronger each year."

For two successive seasons he was the league's top try scorer. Brennan recalls one game against runaway Division Two leaders Belfast Harlequins.

"They'd won 12 in a row, and we were given no chance. He scored three tries, the last from his own half in beating four or five men to score in the corner and earn us a bonus point. Afterwards all the Harlequins people were asking: 'Who is that guy?'."

He didn't fall out of a tree though, and had been well monitored, playing for the Leinster and Irish Youths. Leinster weren't short of outside backs but the offer of a two-year, full-time contract - Matt Williams's departure temporarily put it on hold - allowed him to put his qualifications as an electrician to the side.

"If it hadn't been full-time I don't think I would have taken it up. I would have been giving up everything. It would be different if you were in college or something like that. It was a big decision but I'm happy I made it. I love the lifestyle."

Even the damaged ankle which sidelined him for eight weeks up until the start of the European Cup campaign was something of a mixed blessing. "I worked hard and I gained weight, pretty much every day in the gym," says Burke, who has already risen from 77kg to 84½kg.

It may have ultimately delayed his first European Cup start this season until last week, but he looked like he'd been there for years, holding his line and racing in Leinster's match-winning try. Like a football striker, as a winger scoring tries is his biggest buzz, "and it was my first in a while as well. I was happy enough, but I thought I could have got a bit more ball to have a go at them," he says. "I still want to improve my speed a bit, and work on my defence. I'm far from the finished article."

Not yet maybe, but a breath of fresh air all the same.