The Irish Times' Johnny Watterson talks to the frustrated, ambitious Denis Leamy about his return to the starting Ireland XV.
"Leamy’s injury concerns have been exacerbated by the blooming of backrows Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip in tandem with the form of David Wallace and also by Declan Kidney’s policy of keeping a squad internally competitive. The older Leamy watched from the physio table as two younger players appeared to consolidate their positions with strong performances in the first three Six Nations games. Heaslip, with 16 caps was born in 1983, 11-cap Ferris in 1985. Leamy, born in 1981 and initially out in the cold, has earned 10 caps more than Heaslip and Ferris combined.
“It’s difficult,” he says, “you’ve got to understand the boys are playing well. They got the opportunity. They got the jersey against France. They played very well that day and they kept the jersey. You can’t argue with that. Sometimes you’ve got to put your hand up and say ‘fair play’. Given the chances I’ve got I’ve tried to do my best for the few minutes I’ve come on. But to get a start is a big help because that’s where you can set out a stall and really put your footprint on a game."
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