Will Connors has nine Irish caps yet somewhere between the quarter-final match against La Rochelle and semi-final against Northampton in Croke Park, his face didn’t fit to make the Leinster match-day squad. That Connors has just signed a new contract to stay fighting for playing time in a world-class backrow says something of the Leinster culture and Connors’ ambition.
The bench split went from 6-2 against the French to 5-3 against the English and it was Connors who was sacrificed. His chop tackles and defensive strengths were ripe for La Rochelle but not last weekend. Still, when the contract was offered, he didn’t just take it, he “jumped”, he says.
“Yeah, it’s difficult,” says Connors. “I kind of fitted that La Rochelle game to an extent. And then to shift out for the last game was obviously tough. But I think it’s tight margins on it all. It’s more about me trying to push my carrying game and make that a point of difference for me.
“And hopefully that will open up more opportunities going forward again. The idea of being a very strong defensive player is obviously something I’m very proud of. But to really push hard in how I play … and suiting an attacking team is definitely something I want to keep working on and pushing.”
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Life in Leinster is ever thus. Even 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier was used as a bench player against La Rochelle. But as Connors points out it is always a balance in a club where nothing is guaranteed week to week even for the international players. Neither is it easy. Leinster must decide what bench split they will use against Toulouse in the European Champions Cup final and for the closing weeks of the United Rugby Championship, first stop Ospreys this weekend.
“It is a really difficult one to balance,” he says. “At the moment, I’m playing a bit. But when you move into that area, and I’ve been there before, when you’re not playing a lot, it can be frustrating when you see these big games coming around the corner and you don’t see the idea of you fitting that picture. It is difficult. But that is the thing, it is a balancing act. If there came a time when I didn’t feel I was in the picture, you do have to start having the tough conversations.”
The bench split has become an issue in terms of who gets the opportunities to play. Connors knows the 6-2 would favour him and the coaches will make their selection based on horses for courses.
“That’s the thing,” he says. “Scott Penny and Max Deegan will also be the exact same, trying to push hard that week and all trying to get a chance at something like that. With the 6-2 split, as a forward you’re always pushing at that. But if you look at all the athletes in our team, I don’t know if I’d fit the wing very nicely but we’ll see.
“Maybe some day!”
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