PAT LAM HAS quickly become the most popular coaching figure in Ireland, with his Connacht side sitting on top of the Guinness Pro12 table.
The national team are beginning to reap the rewards of the western province’s excellent form too, with Saturday’s win over Italy seeing five Connacht men on the pitch for Ireland at once. History was made, and deservedly so.
Kieran Marmion was one of those five players, replacing Conor Murray in the second half and adding tempo to Ireland’s game. The 24-year-old highlighted Lam’s part in himself, Robbie Henshaw, Ultan Dillane, Nathan White and Finlay Bealham being picked by Joe Schmidt.
“It’s great, I think it’s credit to how Connacht have played this year, and credit to Pat and the coaches there to be able to develop the players and push them on,” said Marmion after Ireland’s 58-15 victory.
I think in Connacht at the moment lads have seriously stepped up their game, there are more lads in Connacht pushing for places as well so in the future there will be more there as well.
“I think as a province we’re getting stronger every week when we play.
“Hopefully we can push on this year and achieve history there as well. I think lads stepping up for Ireland can only be good for Connacht in the future.”
Marmion won his first Six Nations cap on Saturday, having previously played four times under Schmidt. With Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss both in the twilight of their careers, the Connacht man’s time is very much coming.
The scrum-half believes that Connacht’s next generation will be buoyed by seeing the likes of himself, 22-year-old Dillane and 24-year-old Finlay Bealham playing for Ireland.
“Lads know they can get into the Irish team,” said Marmion. “In Connacht at the moment if a lad gets injured, another one steps up and it doesn’t really make a difference for us and I think that’s huge for us going forward.
“And again, I believe with a few good games… Ultan’s only played 12 Connacht games and he’s straight into the Irish team, so it’s possible for all the lads.”
- This article was updated at 9.08am to correct Finlay Bealham’s name.
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Really getting sick of this
Hope Rodgers is happy now, every one knows Sturridge is injury prone, to bring in the likes of lambert of mario as replacement for Suarez was asking for trouble. He was banking on Sturridge staying injury free and that’s back fired dramatically.
What a plague for the Pool!
He’s as bad as Falcao, but at least he’s not getting paid over a million a month. Mercenary that Colombian!
Good man Dazza , no party like love/hate for you anymore
Good for him ..
He may as well do what his team mates are doing and take the season off.
Delighted pool are f##### anyway giving new contract to glen Johnson..haa tick tock Rodgers
Play Gerrard up top.
The irony of his ‘praise Jesus’ tweets
Aren’t you supposed to be dead?
No Derek , Peter Pan doesn’t die he just never grows up
I party like Paul Gascoigne.