Johnny Wattersonmeets the young Ireland international who makes no secret of his desire to claim the fullback role

THE EMOTIONAL and motivational composition of Rob Kearney is becoming increasingly interesting. When the Ireland team is read out on a Tuesday afternoon the selected players inevitably roll in to the media room, studiously inscrutable and professionally in control. But some just can't help ripping a smile, adding a jaunt to their step, a swagger.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris held the grin this week; Keith Earls had the frozen, show-nothing look; Brian O'Driscoll wore that capable, can-do, business face he has brought to so many meetings as Ireland captain and Kearney had the detached, almost distant look of a Daniel Craig figure trying to weigh up if he would take someone out or let them live.

The in-form Kearney's Quantum of Solace is he was selected on Declan Kidney's first Ireland team, that the coach has publicly settled on him as a trusted player for the present and future.

That makes Kearney a happy camper and once again a proud and willing player, who every bit as much as O'Driscoll was the thrilling part of Leinster's Heineken Cup win over Wasps in the RDS - not just for his sureness under the high ball but for having the presence of mind to stab a kick infield at full stride for O'Driscoll's first try.

But Kearney was pulling no Ferris grin this week; there was little evidence of a jaunt in his step. He is a player with a number of things swirling around in his head, not least of all a burning desire to improve further and make himself a forceful selection, not for the left wing but in the more involved fullback position.

That Kidney has, this time, settled on the dynamic Earls for that role has surprised few but Kearney has always stated his favourite position is 15, not 11, and has regularly aired the view that rugby will get most out of his body if it is placed more centrally in the narrative than on the periphery of the action. This week, along with the pride and enthusiasm with which he will wear the green shirt against Canada, there was a player who, while not entirely sullen, could be said to have questions on his mind.

"I've always said that fullback is my preference," he says minutes after the team announcement. "That's where I prefer playing my rugby. I feel that's where I play my better rugby. But to make the first 15 is always the overriding priority and I've done that this week and can't wait to get out and play on Saturday."

Kearney comes from the confident school of thinking. He's not arrogant but sharply aware of his capabilities, where they need to improve and what he wants to achieve with the tools he has been given. He regards stating his preferred position as honesty and his celebration seems tinged with the disappointment of an opportunity missed.

"Yeah, obviously there's a hint of it (disappointment) because as humans we are never happy until we get exactly what we want, really," he says. "So while I'm delighted to be playing on the wing and will get the opportunity to play, I won't be fully happy until I'm playing at 15. It focuses your mind and it probably makes you more ambitious to succeed more, to keep striving for exactly what you want. I make no secret of it but to be playing on Saturday anywhere on the field is a fantastic opportunity.

"I don't know if it stems from a strength of character or if I'm just being honest in stating my goal," he adds. "I'd like to see myself as that sort of character. Whether it comes across like that I don't know. But I suppose to try and bring some composure on to the field is an aim too. I don't know if I've done that successfully because I'm still learning and developing an awful lot as a player and I've a long way to go before I consider myself that."

Kearney has come a long way. His performance in Wellington during last summer's tour was a watershed. The recent match against Wasps was a continuation of the upwards sweep and demonstrated again his ability does not diminish as the demands and levels rise. He has straddled the gap between club and country with ease.

"I think my performances before that (Wasps) were solid without being fantastic," he says. "I wanted to clock in a big game before the internationals. Declan has picked on form, as he has said, with a view to the World Cup as well. I do feel that as time goes on and the fact I am still developing and getting better, hopefully each week, you do get that bit of confidence and you feel you are more able for the international stage, more able to become an integral part of the team."

Outside of his personal aspirations the sense of renewal in the squad has had a positive influence in general. The change from Eddie O'Sullivan to Kidney has brought an influx of younger players and ushered the disappearance of some older faces.

"There has to be (a different atmosphere), I think, given the average age of the squad has dropped so much," says Kearney. "It is only going to improve the general atmosphere."

Kidney has always encouraged competition for places and in Kearney he has unearthed the personification of that competitiveness . And the coach is no fool: he knows Kearney is not alone.