HAVING PICKED UP his first Ireland caps on June’s tour to Argentina, Kieran Marmion feels his rapid progress in the last two years can continue into the 2014/15 campaign.
Still just 22, the Connacht scrum-half will be intent on impressing the watching Joe Schmidt this evening as his side host Leinster in the first inter-provincial fixture of this season’s Pro12 [KO 19.35].
Opposite Marmion at scrum-half will be Isaac Boss, while Eoin Reddan takes a place on the Leinster bench. Both men look likely to be Marmion’s direct rivals for a place in Ireland’s 2015 World Cup squad.
After his first tour abroad with Ireland over the summer, Marmion is keen to add to his two appearances. The English native admits he was taken aback by the demands in Schmidt’s set-up when he first became involved.
“It was a complete shock for me,” says Marmion. “Obviously here [in Connacht], they expect things of you, but up there it’s a different level. It took a good bit of getting used to, I’m still getting used to it.
The thing is he [Schmidt] expects you to know the game plan by the time you get out on the pitch. Obviously for new guys coming in, they’re not going to wait for you. You’ve got to get up to speed with everyone else. You’ve got to sit down and go through the book, make sure you know everything.”
Marmion describes Schmidt as “very intense,” and welcomes the pressure the Kiwi puts on players as a means for improving. Ideally, the scrum-half would have amassed more than 25 minutes over his two substitute appearances against Los Pumas, but rates the trip as a good learning experience.
“Obviously the guys who are there are very experienced and have done it all before. So it’s kind of learning off them, watching them in training and seeing how they do it. It’s definitely those things you take away from it.
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Marmion is understandably keen to add to his two Ireland caps this season. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s tactical stuff, just the way they look at the game and maybe how they visualise things, see things differently. A lot of that was picked up on the tour.”
At Connacht, Marmion is appreciative of the influence of Pat Lam, whose off-the-pitch demands have helped the youngster to become more disciplined and holistic in his approach to rugby.
In terms of the content of the rugby itself, Marmion believes the style of play Lam has brought to Galway is suited to his own strengths.
“The way Pat has brought in has given me a license to do quite a bit more, maybe, than in my first year,” explains Marmion.
Obviously it kind of suits me being able to run and make decisions, play off the cuff a bit more. I enjoy it and I think it’s good for the team, it’s exciting. Hopefully we’ll be able to show a bit more of that this season.”
As part of an exciting and youthful backline, Marmion admits that he must now assume more of a leadership role after two full seasons of first-team action and his international involvement.
“Definitely coming back in this year, coming back in from being on tour, it feels as if I have to lead a bit more; I’ve been put forward in that,” explains the scrum-half.
“Obviously Robbie [Henshaw] as well, just to step forward and try and drive things. You’ve got older lads like Mul [John Muldoon] and they’re the leaders of the team, but we’ll look to back up what they’re doing.”
Marmion and Connacht are targeting another win at the Sportsground this evening. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Marmion has played a remarkable amount of rugby for Connacht in the last two seasons since breaking through, rivalling the likes of Jamie Heaslip for durability over the course of a campaign.
55 starts since September 2012 is quite the record. Marmion laughs off the suggestion that he is a highly dedicated member of the prehab club and instead explains that luck is at the centre of his ability to play so many games.
Having found himself elevated to first-choice status back in 2012 after injuries to his scrum-half rivals, Marmion has never though about relinquishing his position.
“I’m just lucky!,” outlines Marmion. “I don’t work on any of that kind of stuff really. I’m just lucky I haven’t picked up any serious injuries yet.
“When I first got to play it was only because the other lads got injured, I was the only one left. I was chucked in there and you think it’s your opportunity, you don’t want to let it slip.
“Each week you want to progress and progress.”
The next step in the journey is helping Connacht to success against Leinster this evening.
Connacht: Darragh Leader, Niyi Adeolokun, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White; Aly Muldowney, Quinn Roux; John Muldoon (capt.), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, George Naoupu, Ian Porter, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Jamie Heaslip (capt.).
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Denton, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Gordon D’Arcy, Mick McGrath.
Mazda has confirmed that it will continue its long-term support of Connacht be becoming Official Car Sponsor, providing a fleet of over 55 Mazda cars to the squad.
Marmion happy to lead Connacht's young backline after first Ireland caps
HAVING PICKED UP his first Ireland caps on June’s tour to Argentina, Kieran Marmion feels his rapid progress in the last two years can continue into the 2014/15 campaign.
Still just 22, the Connacht scrum-half will be intent on impressing the watching Joe Schmidt this evening as his side host Leinster in the first inter-provincial fixture of this season’s Pro12 [KO 19.35].
Opposite Marmion at scrum-half will be Isaac Boss, while Eoin Reddan takes a place on the Leinster bench. Both men look likely to be Marmion’s direct rivals for a place in Ireland’s 2015 World Cup squad.
After his first tour abroad with Ireland over the summer, Marmion is keen to add to his two appearances. The English native admits he was taken aback by the demands in Schmidt’s set-up when he first became involved.
“It was a complete shock for me,” says Marmion. “Obviously here [in Connacht], they expect things of you, but up there it’s a different level. It took a good bit of getting used to, I’m still getting used to it.
Marmion describes Schmidt as “very intense,” and welcomes the pressure the Kiwi puts on players as a means for improving. Ideally, the scrum-half would have amassed more than 25 minutes over his two substitute appearances against Los Pumas, but rates the trip as a good learning experience.
“Obviously the guys who are there are very experienced and have done it all before. So it’s kind of learning off them, watching them in training and seeing how they do it. It’s definitely those things you take away from it.
“It’s tactical stuff, just the way they look at the game and maybe how they visualise things, see things differently. A lot of that was picked up on the tour.”
At Connacht, Marmion is appreciative of the influence of Pat Lam, whose off-the-pitch demands have helped the youngster to become more disciplined and holistic in his approach to rugby.
In terms of the content of the rugby itself, Marmion believes the style of play Lam has brought to Galway is suited to his own strengths.
“The way Pat has brought in has given me a license to do quite a bit more, maybe, than in my first year,” explains Marmion.
As part of an exciting and youthful backline, Marmion admits that he must now assume more of a leadership role after two full seasons of first-team action and his international involvement.
“Definitely coming back in this year, coming back in from being on tour, it feels as if I have to lead a bit more; I’ve been put forward in that,” explains the scrum-half.
“Obviously Robbie [Henshaw] as well, just to step forward and try and drive things. You’ve got older lads like Mul [John Muldoon] and they’re the leaders of the team, but we’ll look to back up what they’re doing.”
Marmion has played a remarkable amount of rugby for Connacht in the last two seasons since breaking through, rivalling the likes of Jamie Heaslip for durability over the course of a campaign.
55 starts since September 2012 is quite the record. Marmion laughs off the suggestion that he is a highly dedicated member of the prehab club and instead explains that luck is at the centre of his ability to play so many games.
Having found himself elevated to first-choice status back in 2012 after injuries to his scrum-half rivals, Marmion has never though about relinquishing his position.
“When I first got to play it was only because the other lads got injured, I was the only one left. I was chucked in there and you think it’s your opportunity, you don’t want to let it slip.
“Each week you want to progress and progress.”
The next step in the journey is helping Connacht to success against Leinster this evening.
Mazda has confirmed that it will continue its long-term support of Connacht be becoming Official Car Sponsor, providing a fleet of over 55 Mazda cars to the squad.
Lam’s infectious energy setting the tone for reinvigorated Connacht
Madigan stays at 12 for Leinster, while Connacht make one change
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All-Ireland Senior HC Guinness PRO12 Connacht Connacht inter provincial Kieran Marmion Leinster Leinster playmaker