After two injury-ravaged seasons which never saw him fulfil his potential at Leinster, Quinn Roux has re-launched his career – albeit not without interruptions – at Connacht. Yet for the Irish-qualified South African lock, Saturday’s summit meeting is strictly business. It’s nothing personal.
“I just want to perform well in this environment and then hopefully get the win as a team. It’s not about the individuals here at Connacht.”
In any event, in his second season with Connacht, he’s been long enough in Irish rugby now to appreciate the heightened meaning of these inter-provincials, and not least Connacht hosting Leinster at the Sportsground with the two teams looking down on the rest of the table.
“Yeah, it’s very exciting. It’s a massive match-up and if we can do what we do every week I think we’ll be okay. I think there’s always a bit of a rise in intensity and stuff, because you’re also competing to be the best in the country. The fans are always into it as well, so it’s exciting.”
Lot of heat
Roux also has a fairer idea than most of what to expect from Leinster. “I think they’ll bring a lot of heat. They’ve a good pack, but we have to do what do every week and I think we’ll be okay.”
When Roux reflects on his time with Leinster, a little sadly the first thing that springs to mind, is “a lot of injuries. That’s the main thing. When I look back, it wasn’t great. I didn’t play a lot. I’m thankful for the opportunity I had to come here. Game time is all I need to get form back and that’s hopefully what I’ll get in the run-in now.”
The 25-year-old has had further injury misfortunes in the last two seasons with Connacht, but has managed 27 starts in all and shown his best form this season.
Joe Schmidt was the head coach who initially brought Roux to Ireland when he signed him for Leinster ahead of the 2012/13 season, and despite only making his latest comeback in the win over Edinburgh over two weeks ago, like Connacht’s flying, in-form winger Matt Healy, Roux was afforded a sample of life with the Ireland squad at Carton House last week.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” he says. “Since I came back from injury I only had one game back.
“Against Edinburgh I played 60 minutes, but it’s obviously a massive, massive honour even to be called up to the squad, even for a night or two, just to see how they do things, and hopefully I can build a bit of confidence now.”
Ambition
In CJ Stander, another South African special project who has fulfilled his ambition and acquitted himself so well in his first Six Nations campaign, Roux has something of a role model to emulate.
“He’s been going very well but before that he had been going very well for Munster, and I think that’s the main thing; if you go well for your club it just gives you a greater opportunity of performing at a higher level.
“Obviously, I’m not going to lie about it. I’d like to play for Ireland one day, but the first job is here. If you perform well here you’ll get those opportunities.”
Contribute
Like all those in Connacht, Roux took further encouragement and inspiration from seeing five provincial team-mates contribute to the win over Italy.
“It’s just good to see the work we do here in the week can transfer into the higher level.”
As to what he needs to do personally to achieve his ambition, he says with irony: “First of all, I need to stay fit. I just need to play week-in and week-out, and then hopefully I can get the opportunity.”
