Q and A: Hooker Shane Byrne clocks up his 100th Leinster cap tonight. He talks to Gerry Thornley about his career in blue
Mick Galwey and Anthony Foley have done it for Munster, and Paddy Johns for Ulster. Legends, each of them. Tonight Shane Byrne becomes the first player in the history of Leinster rugby to play for his province 100 times. A decade on since his debut, Byrne is playing the best rugby of his life and on a proud night for Leinster's most capped player, he will lead his team out against Montferrand as he becomes a legend of Leinster rugby.
What does being the first Leinster player to reach 100 caps mean to you?
"Well, we have to approach every game in such a professional manner that you can't allow yourself to get caught up in the occasion. It's one of those things that I'll be able to look back on and think about at greater length when I've retired. But being the first Leinster player to play 100 times for the province is so, so special to me."
What do you remember about the first?
"I think it was against Australia in 1992 in Lansdowne Road. That was the first really big, big game and I guess my career has come full circle when you think that was fully 10 years ago and Ireland beat them last month. What I remember most is nearly getting my head knocked off by Willie Ofahengaue. I'd just tackled Tim Horan and was getting up when running into Willie O's fist. For a young 20-year-old it was quite a rude awakening."
You are having the best year of your career. What do you attribute this to?
"I honestly don't know. There are so many things. Leinster are doing well, there are better structures, I'm getting fitter and stronger and more motivated. I'm older and wiser, in your 30s you don't waste time contemplating things that don't matter."
Who has been your toughest opponent while playing for Leinster?
"I'd have to say Willie O. I'd have to say that's the hardest I've been hit. Put it this way, it still sticks in my memory ten years on."
Which of your own performances gave you the most satisfaction?
"Getting through to the semi-finals of the inaugural European Cup and beating Northern Transvaal about six years ago. That was a great day out in Donnybrook. It was the one game Donal Sporing was involved in as coach. I had a really good game and it was around then that we were hearing how unbeatable the Southern Hemisphere rugby was, and we beat them. It was a fantastic, fast game and we had a great team back then."
What's been the biggest change you've observed in your time with Leinster?
"Professionalism, in a word. I lived through the full-blown amateur era to the stage where it's now full-on professional and there's just no comparison. The talent was always there, but we wouldn't always have harvested it. I suppose I'm a good example."
Who's been the biggest influence on your Leinster career?
"I wouldn't say one person, but it would have to be the current Leinster set-up. The past 18 months they have changed everything in instilling that professionalism. If they don't think that you have it, then they won't waste time with you."
Worst defeat(s) with Leinster?
"Losing to Leicester in the quarter-finals last year. It was a great opportunity, we didn't take it."
Most enjoyable win(s)?
"Last week. That was very important. A massive thing for Leinster to achieve. Beating Leicester in Donnybrook for the first time and beating Ulster for the first time in nine years."
Best try you've seen Leinster score?
"In recent years there's been loads, a lot of opportunistic tries through patterns we've worked on in training which have created the openings. There's been some great breakaway tries as well, or Mal (O'Kelly) galloping in from the 10-yard line like a gazelle against Pontypridd this year. Niall Woods scored some hair-raising tries in his time. We were in Milan one year, having a tough day. Dean Oswald's eye socket was damaged, we weren't getting much out of the referee, they were very fired up, and we were losing near the end when Niall scored from our own half. He did it all by himself. That one will do it."
