Leinster winger Robert Kearney knows his mood this morning could have been very different had his recent back injury convinced Eddie O’Sullivan he was not ready for a call-up to the Irish Six Nations squad.
The 19-year-old suffered a back strain late last month, allowing veteran winger Denis Hickie reclaim his Leinster place, but recovery has been swift and he is eager to show what he can do for province and country in the weeks ahead.
"Because I have been injured I think I could easily have been left out of the squad, so I am delighted with that," he said today. "Its a bigger squad of 35 this time round. I think because we have a big game this weekend it’s not at the forefront of my mind but I am still delighted to get the news.
"I would have been disappointed if I had not got in," he admits. "When you are in squads previously and you know you are capable of it, you set yourself the standard of being there in the future."
Kearney was called into all three Autumn international squads but did not make the final 22, something he is eager to make amends for this time round.
"Its the strongest squad that has been there in a while. I think everyone is going to have a very difficult task to get anywhere near it, but I am not going to hold back, I’m going to give it my best shot."
The softly spoken teenager mingled with press and fans alike this morning at a fundraiser for Six Nations sponsors Royal Bank of Scotland. He slotted seamlessly into the scene alongside seasoned campaigner Keith Wood and Welsh great Ieaun Evans, as well as Leinster team-mates Malcolm O’Kelly and Girvan Dempsey.
He is not the only new face from Leinster to make this year’s squad of course, with number eight Jamie Heaslip also being called up, and Kearney believes his team-mate was a shoo in for the shout. "I don't think there was ever any fear of him not getting in, so hopefully this time round he'll get a look in. I think he deserves one."
Leinster are confident ahead of this weekend’s crucial Heineken Cup game away to Pool 5 leaders Bath and with Hickie and Brian O’Driscoll looking backto their best, Kearney believes Michael Cheika’s side have a real chance to secure the four points necessary for qualification to the knock-out stages.
"This weekend we have nothing to lose. We'll go over there and throw the kitchen sink at them."
The competition for places in two talented backlines is fierce with the return of Hickie but the UCD man is not about to shirk the challenge.
"Denis was a Lion this summer and is not going to be a pushover, but at the same time its great to have him back, he's playing well and getting into his stride."
Although reluctant to do it, looking to the future - and the prospect of playing at GAA headquarters next year - excites Kearney, who was a keen GAA player in his ‘youth’.
"Its a while away but its a fantastic announcement, I think its great for rugby and for Irish sport in general. It’s every players dream to play in Croke Park."
One assumes that playing in Lansdowne Road was the more prominent dream for the winger but to possibly fulfill both in the space of 12 months would be some achievement, but definitely not one beyond this wing man.
