Fergus McFadden's diligence and patience is rewarded at Thomond Park tonight against the Baabaas, writes JOHN O'SULLIVAN

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL and Gordon D’Arcy cast long shadows. Fergus McFadden acknowledges the statement with a rueful smile. The 23-year-old has spent the last four years observing first-hand on a daily basis the enduring excellence of Ireland and Leinster’s first choice centre partnership.

He’s tried to exist on a carefully managed diet of matches but it just made him hungrier, especially in craving a chance to play in the Heineken Cup. At his age, he doesn’t want to hear that time is on his side because to accept that would risk dulling his appetite.

He can’t afford to stand still because in looking at the logjam ahead of him, he is intelligent enough to realise that with every passing season players arrive at the Leinster academy with his place in the playing pecking order in their cross-hairs.

Periodically he has to deal with being caught in the bubble of frustration.

It’s not easy at the best of times but when you’re talented, when you have excelled through underage grade rugby, when you have been named as the 2009 Churchill Cup tournament’s Most Valuable Player in helping Ireland A to land the title, rugby life can occasionally appear to be less than fair.

It takes a strong mind and a singular dedication to cope: McFadden has demonstrated both attributes to complement his ability on the pitch. Tonight at Thomond Park he gets an opportunity in the more unfamiliar role of inside centre.

He’s not complaining. “It is a different demand. The defence hinges on the number 13’s decisions. It is definitely a lot harder to defend at 13, whereas 12 is more of a playmaking, decision-making position in attack.

“I enjoy it because you get your hands on the ball a bit more; (get) involved in the calls. They are different positions but at the same time you need similar traits to play both. This is another opportunity for me.

“I have never played with the full Irish team before; I know it is not counted as a cap but it is still a great honour. I will be looking to have a good match in attack and defence. It’s a really tough tour and you have to go with the view that should you be called on, then you’re ready to step up.”

In casting an eye back over the season just gone McFadden articulates the vagaries of professional sport. “I felt that I kicked on from the Churchill Cup, that my form was good in the Magners League. There was a period after the November internationals – I had played a few A matches – that I didn’t make Leinster squads and to be honest, it was a hard one for me to take.

“My confidence definitely took a bit of a knock. I suppose when you get a taste for it and you feel you’re doing well and then you’re not in the loop . . . it’s disappointing.” He got back in after Christmas and while not playing the big Heineken Cup matches was content he had taken his game up a level.

He acknowledges the intensity of training at provincial level has helped in his development.

“The mindset in Leinster is competitive from day to day. We play three on two drills in the backs; there’s fun involved but it’s always extremely competitive. I am sure that I have pushed Gordon and Brian on this year.

“I felt I was definitely breathing down their necks in terms of selection at times. That helps them and it helps me. I am trying to chase to get in the team. It’s all healthy competition and if you didn’t have that it wouldn’t be good.

“I have to back my ability, train as if I am going to play in the centre with one of them. The nature of the sport we are in, if you don’t do that, you won’t go places.”

It’s a healthy attitude.