The arrival of new kids on the block can, and always will, spark different reactions from senior players, especially in the same position.
Some feel threatened and apply the cold shoulder, trying to make the younger player feel as uncomfortable as possible. Others give advice, if to a limited degree, while others again take a newcomer under his wing.
Somehow it's not surprising to learn that Donnacha Ryan has that generosity of spirit even if that wasn't his own experience when first breaking into the Munster squad.
“When I was younger coming into a Munster pack I wasn’t taken under anyone’s wing at all; you had to fight for your own corner and that’s probably how you earn your stripes I suppose. You get to a level of maturity where I get a kick out of sharing my experience over the years having learned from the best in the world (O’Connell).”
Ultan Dillane’s own personality and sponge-like desire for information probably makes the Tralee-reared Connacht lock a hard man to cold shoulder in any case.
“Ultan is a good-natured guy if he wants to learn all you can do is give him the information, it’s up to him whether he accepts it or not and at the moment he’s been very forthcoming and it’s great to train with him. His positivity, like Josh [van der Flier], has been tremendous and they’re great guys in the pack to have . . .”
Constantly asking questions
“He’s a fantastic guy, lovely fella. Just a great personality . . . Great Kerry guy and I am just thrilled to bits for him, like, because he is going to be a tremendous player. He is an incredible athlete, massive thirst for knowledge and he is constantly asking questions.”
“It is great to suit up alongside a guy [on his debut] the last day. In ten years’ time hopefully he will be doing the same thing alongside some guy who is earning his first cap as well. He did a great break up the field as well. It was brilliant to see,” said Ryan, who made 18 tackles at Twickenham in his 65 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Dillane.
Playing England in tiddlywinks, as Jamie Heaslip noted two weeks ago, never mind a Six Nations match, takes care of the motivational juices in its own right. But, two weeks on, to be cast adrift of the title race with two games must be all the more difficult for a squad used to being contenders.
So what’s to play for? “It’s a very simple answer really,” reasoned Ryan. “Any time you get to suit up for Ireland is a massive honour. These are occasions that are very rare in a player’s career and there is massive motivation every time you put on an Irish shirt and [you want to] do it justice. We have a very eager squad, mad to perform.”
“Motivation is there every week, you just strive to be better. We have got fantastic coaches to drive us to learn from the mistakes we have made . . .
“You try to take a bigger step than you did the day before. Be better. That’s what makes you a successful player for your country.” If any game is to test their professionalism and desire to perform, it is the visit of Italy to the Aviva on Saturday.
Wiped out
Then again, if any player has been reminded of the value of a test appearance for Ireland over recent years, it is Ryan, for whom Twickenham was a first
Six Nations
start in three years after two seasons effectively wiped out through injury.
“You don’t know when you are going to suit up again – that’s your motivation . . .
“I understand those sort of opportunities in life, that it is important when you do get an opportunity to put your body on the line as much as you can out there without getting too caught up in the emotional side of it. Against England, some technical things went against us . . . which was frustrating, but certainly we did some fantastic stuff as well.”
So Ryan and Ireland move on, eager to make up for missed opportunities in the only two chances remaining from this hitherto anti-climactic campaign.
