The injury was horrific, potentially career-threatening. Brad Free readily recalls the date when a burgeoning career nearly disintegrated. "It was November the 26th, 1997 at Ravenhill."
Australian-born Free was making his representative debut for Ireland in an A international against Canada. An impressive season with Saracens had brought him to the attention of the then Irish coach Brian Ashton. International honours beckoned for the talented young Australian whose mother Lorraine is a Dubliner.
However, a searing break over 30 metres during the match culminated in a dreadful accident when Free collided with a Canadian player.
"It was the number eight; I ended up tearing every ligament in my ankle, dislocating the ankle and also breaking my femur." Rehabilitation would be painful, slow and ultimately character-building. Free's dedication allowed him to return, and today he travels with the Leinster team to Scotland for tomorrow night's game against Glasgow Caledonians.
An injury to New Zealander Stu Forster facilitated Free's elevation, and he relishes the opportunity: "Last season when I came back I managed about seven league matches for Saracens. It was all about getting my confidence back after the injury and that took some time.
"I still had a lot of ambitions and I was aware that the best place to make an impression on the Ireland team management was in Ireland. Understandably, there is less focus on non-established players in England. I spoke with Paddy Johns who was a team-mate at the time and asked his advice.
"He was the one that pointed me in the direction of Bective Rangers and that's how I came to be here for the start of the season. I have played several matches and things are going reasonably well." Free is adamant that he is prepared for the rigours ahead. "I'm under no illusions about my position in the scheme of things. If I get the opportunity then it is up to me to ensure that I make heads turn. It's all about proving it on the pitch.
"One thing the Leinster set-up has shown is that players can expect no favours. You are picked on form and that will always be a huge incentive for players."
Free will start on the bench as Derek Hegarty retains the number nine jersey following Leinster's superb victory over Leicester on the opening weekend of the European Cup. There is one change to the original selection and two to the team that started the game against the English champions.
Malcolm O'Kelly, who damaged a shoulder and was forced to retire at half-time during the Leicester match, withdrew from the team following training yesterday evening.
He will be replaced by Ireland under-21 and Blackrock College captain Leo Cullen, who will make his first competitive start in the Leinster jersey. Cullen replaced O'Kelly the last day. The introduction of the 6 ft 6 in player makes for an extremely youthful second-row combination: he partners fellow under-21 international Robert Casey.
Former international second row Gabriel Fulcher, now a part-time player, takes over from Cullen in the replacements. The Lansdowne player has recovered from a rib injury.
Blackrock College prop Gary Halpin was an original selection for the Leicester game, but cried off just before the match with flu. Angus McKeen proved an able deputy, but Halpin has been reinstated for the trip to Scotland. McKeen fails to make the bench as club-mate Reggie Corrigan can cover both sides of the front row.
Trevor Brennan was not considered for selection as the shoulder injury which has sidelined him since his premature departure in the World Cup is still causing problems.
Meanwhile, opponents Glasgow name Scottish international Ian Jardine at centre following a calf injury. There are two changes in the back row from the side which was beaten by Stade Francais, with Roland Reid and John Petrie promoted to the starting XV.
The Teams
Leinster: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, P McKenna; M McHugh, D Hegarty; E Byrne, S Byrne, G Halpin, R Casey, L Cullen, D O'Brien, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: R Corrigan, P Smyth, G Fulcher, C McEntee, B Free, E Farrell, G D'Arcy.
Glasgow Caledonians: G Metcalfe; A Bulloch, J Stuart, I Jardine, S Longstaff; T Hayes, A Nicol; D Hilton, G Bulloch, G McIlwham, S Campbell, J White, J Petrie, R Reid, G Simpson. Replacements: B Irving, I McInroy, F Stott, M Waite, D Burns, A Watt, G Scott.
