By his own admission Fergus McFadden might have scored more tries this season. But the Leinster and Irish winger, who was selected to travel to Argentina with Joe Schmidt's Irish squad next month, hopes in the future to make a contribution to the points side of the scoreboard.
McFadden sees his kicking as another string to the career bow. Seen as a winger by Schmidt, because the coach has told him so, but also able to play in the centre, McFadden's kicking has been occasional more than regular. However, the 27-year-old did land one this season against Munster, when preferred kicker Ian Madigan was down injured.
While Jimmy Gopperth and Madigan are seen as the primary kickers on the squad McFadden is also a regular with the two at practice sessions and hopes to get more opportunities from the tee.
"I haven't had many opportunities to kick this year. Richie Murphy (Ireland and Leinster skills coach) talked about maybe kicking in one of the games towards the end of the season," says McFadden.
“The injury to my knee was a setback for me to get the opportunity. I practice it every week. I know a day will come where I’ll have to step and take a kick in a big game to win it.
“It is just about putting in the work in and knowing that’s just around the corner. It is a great string to have in my bow in the Ireland set-up as well. Joe knows he can have the confidence in me to step up and take a couple.”
Johnny Sexton remains apart even from Madigan and Gopperth in his set piece ability, his delivery of points at the highest level for Ireland and recently for his French Club Racing Metro, a constant of his game.
“Listen, I think Johnny is out on his own in the place-kicking. Ian and Jimmy have been very good (for Leinster) in that area as well,” adds McFadden.
“You just need to have back-up place-kickers in squads. I put myself in that bracket and if I’m called upon to kick on a day, I certainly wouldn’t shy away from it.
“I enjoy the pressure that it brings as well. I wouldn’t say no if I was put in that position. But, I’m not putting myself forward to try and knock Johnny or Ian or Jimmy. I like to have it there as a strength for the squad.”
McFadden sees the long term value of his ability with the boot and regularly teams up with the other kickers for specific training with Murphy.
In the private competitions he has with the Leinster outhalf to see who buys lunch, the winger reckons they are about even in having to dip into their pockets.
“It’s a bit of craic,” he says. “We, Mads (Madigan) and myself, generally would have a kick with the loser buying the lunch. It would probably be 50-50- between me and him to see who wins.”
“Yeah, I mean he won the Golden Boot last year. If you’re at that level, you’re not too far away, you know.”
He knows.
