THE FINE MARGINS between success and failure in sport are so often defined by the tenacity to grasp an opportunity when one presents itself. Certainly Dan Leavy, the Leinster flanker called up by Joe Schmidt last night, seized his on Friday, picking the most opportune time to produce a man-of-the-match performance.
Leavy’s impressive showing in the six-try rout of Edinburgh, coupled with the unfortunate shoulder injury suffered by Josh van der Flier, has catapulted the 22-year-old into Ireland’s 34-man squad for this weekend’s visit of France to Dublin.
The former St Michael’s man has spent time at Carton House during this Championship already but his involvement was limited to ‘prep’ days before being released to Leinster for provincial duty.
Schmidt’s decision to allow van der Flier get minutes under his belt for the eastern province and Dominic Ryan’s inclusion at six on Friday night meant Leavy found himself frustrated on the bench.
But after replacing the latter — who lucklessly was forced off after just six minutes with a head injury — Leavy didn’t waste any time in making an impact and as the game wore on, he provided more irrefutable evidence for Schmidt.
Seven tackles, four turnovers, nine runs, 47 metres gained and one try; Leavy’s performance was as impressive on paper as it was to the 11,445 inside the RDS and those who witnessed it from afar.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Leavy was, understandably, unwilling to comment too much on the prospect of getting the call from Schmidt.
“I am always hoping, we will have to wait and see, there is no point in me saying anything,” he said.
“I thought I put up my hand today. It is not my decision at the end of the day, I will rest up tomorrow. At the end of the day I have got to rest up. I’ll have another opportunity against the Dragons, I’ll be looking forward to playing, either way.”I
Instead Leavy — capped once at international level — opted to focus on what he could control and that was an imposing showing in a physical encounter against the Scottish outfit.
“Pretty happy with my performance, feel I made a few little errors with my time, feel a few things were wrong which won’t be pretty on the video,” he said.
“I pride myself on always being ready to hop in whether it is minute one or minute 79. I thought I did well and took my opportunities well.”
That was confirmed as much on Sunday night when the IRFU circulated Schmidt’s second squad of the Six Nations for the round three fixture against France at the Aviva Stadium.
With van der Flier and Connacht’s Ultan Dillane absent, Leavy is now drafted in to provide competition in an already ultra-competitive back row department — but he is constantly striving for improvement and earning this call-up on the back of a breakthrough season with Leinster is an indication that he’s doing things right.
“I wouldn’t say ‘happy’ I am always striving to improve, there is so much competition at the moment, you can’t sit back – ever,” he continued.
“I don’t think anyone is guaranteed a spot on the team [Leinster] so it is up to me and everyone else to push as hard as they can every week, do the best that they can and put your hand up for selection.
“Like I said the competition is so tight, if you have two good games and put up your hand up really well and maybe people are out of form it is pretty, I would say ‘cut-throat’ but it is not the word, it is whoever is playing well, will play. There is a degree of loyalty there from the coaches but they are not going to deny if someone is playing well and they will get the opportunity to play.”
So what aspects of his game exactly is Leavy looking to improve on?
“Just taking my opportunities,” he added. “If you get an opportunity to shine you have got to take because if you don’t it will be rotated and someone else will. It is just all about being frequent in the team, playing in the team, getting the coaches trust in you. Staying fit that’s another thing.
“I did have a pretty tough couple of years [injury-wise] in the Academy. It wasn’t all that bad. I got to play a few important games, I got to train with the seniors, it doesn’t sound like a lot but it is a different intensity and it is a lot quicker and I’m always learning.
“I have been completely injury free now for two years. I’m good and I am starting to get a bit of momentum out on the pitch, starting to feel really good and I can put my hand up to Leo and Joe and say I am playing well and am fit and if an opportunity arrives, now I can take it.
“Just taking my opportunities, it was about confidence. When I was fit I knew I was fit it was just about keeping on top of things, making sure you are feeling loose or having any niggles or anything like that.
“It is about doing you exercises and stuff and just keeping on top of your body and if you do that every week, you are going into the game with utmost confidence and you can perform well.
“Now I feel strong enough to deal with pretty much everyone.”
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