A CHILDHOOD dream realised, sugar coated with a try . . . Kevin Maggs will never forget Ireland's Five Nations victory over Wales at Wembley last Saturday. A soccer player until his late teens in Bristol when he first adopted rugby, last weekend's venue dominated schoolboy aspirations.
"I was looking forward to playing at Wembley since it was announced that the Welsh match would take place there. As a schoolboy, soccer was my first love so getting the opportunity to play there was a wonderful bonus. And then scoring a try, well, that was unbelievable."
Television footage captured Maggs' pleasure, a broad grin etched firmly on his face as he went under the posts. Despite the physical intensity and pressure of the occasion he admitted being able to savour his surroundings. The noise was inescapable; you could hear every sigh and groan. It was a fantastic experience.
"All the players greatly appreciated the level of support we received from those who travelled to London and the Irish community there. We certainly benefited from our visit to Wembley on Thursday in terms of adjusting to the surroundings. I remember sitting in the dressingroom and thinking about all the great players who had been in that room.
"I suppose the abiding feeling at the final whistle was one of relief. I was getting worried towards the end of the match, particularly after I had given away that penalty."
Central to Ireland's performances this season has been the collective and individual displays of the midfield. Noted for his hard-hitting defence, Maggs shrugs off with good humour the suggestion that the midfield could be equally potent offensively.
"There has been a great deal of hard work since the summer and I think the progression is there for all to see. Everyone has evolved as has the team and that is down to the management and a commitment from the players. We are growing together. Warren (Gatland) wants this team to play expansive rugby and some of the bits and pieces are beginning to show but we are not there yet.
"I think that we showed against Wales that we can be enterprising. Conor (O'Shea) was unlucky on one occasion and we let another couple of chances slip."
Maggs is well aware, being based at Bath, that the England match means a confrontation with centre partner Jeremy Guscott. "Some of the lads at the club have tried to heat things up but you just ignore that.
"I know his strengths and he mine and obviously we are both looking for a big performance on the day. Jeremy has been there and done everything and I don't need to list his qualities. There are 14 others on the respective teams but I think it's fair to say that we will both be trying hard on the pitch. This is a very important game for us and it will certainly tell us how far we have come. We have to forget about last week and look forward."
The 24-year-old Bristol-born centre feels that Ireland, while offering respect to every opponent, need fear none. "We have a set of forwards that can pack down against the best. When you look at the front five and the backrow the talent is obvious. It is up to the backline to keep the ball in front of them and keep going forward. I can't wait for Saturday week."
Maggs will win his 15th cap against England, an unbroken run since making his debut as a replacement against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road in 1997. Initially considered a peripheral figure within the squad he is now a central component to this team. His ability and fierce determination should ensure that a prolonged and hopefully prosperous sojourn in the green jersey.
Meanwhile, in the AIB League Division One pacesetters Lansdowne have been forced into wholesale changes for the trip to Young Munster. Gordon D'Arcy, Marcus Dillon, Kurt McQuilkin and Reggie Corrigan are out. Rory Kearns is at fullback, Dave O'Mahony in the centre with Brian Glennon and Niall Gunne on the wings. Enda Bohan comes into the front row.
Young Munster are without Peter Boland. Mick Lynch moves to fullback, Richard Larkin is on the left wing and Aidan O'Halloran is recalled at out-half. Clontarf welcome back Leinster interprovincial Declan O'Brien who has made a remarkable recovery from a serious knee injury. Paul Noble is on the right wing with Matt Smith back in the centre. David Moore is preferred to Riann Vorster in the centre.
St Mary's await fitness reports on Kevin Nowlan and John McWeeney with international Denis Hickie standing by should the latter fail to recover in time. Cork Constitution must consider medical opinion on David Corkery, Anthony Horgan and Cian Mahony.
Galwegians are unchanged for the visit of Terenure who should have internationals Eric Miller and Girvan Dempsey in their team.
England's top clubs are to introduce a new points-scoring system next season to ensure that teams who give players to World Cup nations during the Premiership season will not lose out.
Tom Walkinshaw, chairman of English First Division Rugby, announced yesterday that there will be two points for a Premiership One win for matches played in September, October and early November next autumn. For the final twothirds of the Premiership season there will be three points for a win.
