Leamy hopes to make it big in Japan
Denis Leamy aims to rejuvenate his international career against Japan tomorrow having made just one appearance in an Ireland shirt since his debut last year.
The Munster flanker is part of a new-look Irish back row unit that will bid to help the tourists in their Tokyo task of posting back-to-back defeats of the Cherry Blossoms.
Leamy, 23, impressed on his debut against the United States in November, but his Ireland chances have severely stalled with the emergence of Wasps star Johnny O’Connor as the men in green’s first choice openside.
Leamy did earn a second cap at the start of this year’s RBS 6 Nations against Italy. O’Connor was once again preferred for Ireland’s next outing and with Leamy subsequently sustaining a hamstring injury with Munster, the momentum the Cashel native craved was gone.
Back on track, and more comfortable in his surroundings, Leamy, who lines out on the blindside of Ireland’s scrum for the first time, is gunning for an eye-catching display tomorrow – no matter what position he ends up in.
“I am fairly comfortable playing on the blindside. With the other players picked in the back row – David (Wallace) and Eric (Miller) – we are all pretty interchangeable. I don’t think there is too much difference between 6 and 7 - some players do,” said Leamy, who has ironically kept Wallace on the sidelines at Munster this past season.
“There should not be too much of a problem when I line out there tomorrow. To be honest, I am just glad to be playing in this Test.”
Leamy, who was rested for last week’s 44-12 defeat of Japan, is part of a new breed of Irish players which stand-in coach Niall O’Donovan is hoping to bring through.
Ireland will line out with a new midfield partnership in David Quinlan and Gavin Duffy and Ulster youngster Matt McCullough at lock tomorrow, while also boasting squad newcomers Trevor Hogan, Kieran Campbell and Kieran Lewis on the bench.
