There is no hiding place. Shortlisted as a teenager for the 2014 Under-20 World Player of the Year, Garry Ringrose returns for a second season; the opposition are forewarned if not forearmed. Given his prodigious ability, there is a reputation to uphold, but for him that's an incidental notion because his focus is exclusively on working hard to develop as a player.
He is all about the team, something that is striking in the way he plays without a scintilla of self indulgence, whether that's UCD, Leinster A, or the Ireland Under-20s.
Ireland’s 47-15 victory over Italy in Biella, contained seven tries, a decent achievement on a gluepot surface. On Friday they face a much more difficult assignment when a French side that thumped Scotland 47-6 present their credentials at Dubarry Park.
Incredibly physical
Ringrose admitted: “It’s the same as ever. They’re incredibly physical, big guys. They will run directly at us and try and bully us but then at the same time they have the ability to play out wide and play around us. We’ve individually and collectively looked at what they’re like. They’re very talented so we’re going to have to bring our A game defensively to try and counteract them.”
He’s enjoying his rugby and doesn’t feel any additional responsibility as a senior player. “It’s brilliant. It’s very exciting, kind hectic but from my point of view; I’m just trying to keep my head down and focus on the next task, the next game. Each training session, take it for what it is and try and be better than when I started. There’s a lot going on but in my head it’s quite simple, I’m just focusing on each day.
“Obviously Nick (McCarthy) is captain and there’s a kind of leadership group being put together between about eight or nine of us. Regardless of me having been there last year, there are a lot of new guys stepping up into leadership roles.
Strength in depth
“There’s so much strength in depth in the squad; your previous experience doesn’t really matter because guys are putting their hands up. Nigel (Carolan, head coach) is encouraging the players to do that.
“In the video sessions, everyone is piping up. Everyone has an input and you get a different perspective from each person. Personally, I’m just trying to build on last year and see where it takes me.”
Ireland coach Nigel Carolan has made two changes to the team. Stephen Fitzgerald comes in on the left wing for the injured Greg O'Shea, Jack Owens switches to the right, while Sam Arnold starts in the centre with Fergal Cleary named among the replacements.
