ROSS MOLONY MAY only be 22 but Leo Cullen feels the second row has already proven his leadership ability.
The former St. Michael’s College man previously captained Leinster in a pre-season friendly against Bath and tomorrow will see him take on the role in a competitive game for the first time in his senior career.
Molony was good off the bench against Clermont last weekend. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Molony has showed up impressively for the province over the last two seasons and Cullen has no concerns about handing the lock Leinster’s captaincy for tomorrow’s Pro12 game against Glasgow at the RDS [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
“He is a young leader but in his role in the team, in terms of the direction he gives on the field, it’s probably a natural progression for him,” said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen this afternoon. “He’s done it with a number of teams.
“He’s young, I know, in years but in terms of the way he has lead the group at various stages in the year, his relationship with the likes of Isa [Nacewa], Luke McGrath, Johnny [Sexton], all those guys, it’s a pretty natural step for him.
We’ve been impressed with the way he has led the team in other windows. He might not necessarily have been captain but in other games where the captain has gone off, he has taken over as captain. We have lot of confidence in terms of what he delivers.”
Molony has previously led the Ireland U20s and is part of a proud line of St. Michael’s alumni to have achieved that honour.
“There’s a good gang of them alright,” said Cullen. “If you think back to the recent history of the Irish U20s, there’s a number of guys – Dan Leavy, Ross Molony, Luke McGrath, Nick McCarthy, James Ryan, and Jack Kelly.
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“It’s a pretty steady stream from down the road.”
Ryan is set for his final home appearance. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Molony is part of an exciting Leinster team this weekend, with the aforementioned Nick McCarthy getting his first start at scrum-half and inside centre Tom Daly set to start a game at the RDS for the first time.
Josh van der Flier returns to the XV at openside, with Jack Conan winning his 50th cap at number eight. On the blindside flank, meanwhile, is Dominic Ryan – set for his final home appearance with Leinster before leaving at the end of the season.
Ryan may yet feature in the Pro12 semi-final for Leinster, although the likes of Dan Leavy, Sean O’Brien, Conan and van der Flier will be favourites to fill the back row slots that day.
“Not at this moment,” confirmed Cullen when asked if Ryan has signed a contract to keep him at Leinster beyond the summer.
It’s still unclear where Ryan will end up playing next season, but Cullen paid tribute to the 27-year-old’s contribution to Leinster over the years.
“Dominic has been a great servant, a very physical player, has come through the system and tomorrow night is another chance for him to showcase his talents. It’s a very competitive area in the squad.
“He’s been a little bit unfortunate this year. He has missed out narrowly on a couple of selections. It’s a great chance to showcase what he can do.”
Indeed, Ryan will be hoping some of the watching clubs are impressed by what he has to offer as he looks to seal a contract ahead of the 2017/18 season.
While Leinster are already qualified into a home semi-final in the Pro12 ahead of the final two regular-season rounds, Cullen expects his players’ motivation to stay high.
Cullen expects his players to be motivated. Luke Duffy / INPHO
Luke Duffy / INPHO / INPHO
Ryan might be playing for a new club, but others who are remaining with Leinster have points to prove too.
“A few guys were unlucky to miss out on selection last Sunday [against Clermont], guys have been pushing really hard, so those guys get a crack,” said Cullen. “It’s their chance to shine.
There’s a couple of others guys, Nick McCarthy and Tom Daly in particular, two players that have worked really hard during the course of the season and just been unlucky with a number of selections during the season.
“I thought they deserved a go. They’ve worked hard and they deserve a chance. Then we’ve got a few bits of experience as well, scattered amongst the team.
“It should be a fast, open game between two teams who like to play. There’s plenty at stake for the guys in our team.”
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Ryan set for final home game as 22-year-old Molony makes 'natural step'
ROSS MOLONY MAY only be 22 but Leo Cullen feels the second row has already proven his leadership ability.
The former St. Michael’s College man previously captained Leinster in a pre-season friendly against Bath and tomorrow will see him take on the role in a competitive game for the first time in his senior career.
Molony has showed up impressively for the province over the last two seasons and Cullen has no concerns about handing the lock Leinster’s captaincy for tomorrow’s Pro12 game against Glasgow at the RDS [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
“He is a young leader but in his role in the team, in terms of the direction he gives on the field, it’s probably a natural progression for him,” said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen this afternoon. “He’s done it with a number of teams.
“He’s young, I know, in years but in terms of the way he has lead the group at various stages in the year, his relationship with the likes of Isa [Nacewa], Luke McGrath, Johnny [Sexton], all those guys, it’s a pretty natural step for him.
Molony has previously led the Ireland U20s and is part of a proud line of St. Michael’s alumni to have achieved that honour.
“There’s a good gang of them alright,” said Cullen. “If you think back to the recent history of the Irish U20s, there’s a number of guys – Dan Leavy, Ross Molony, Luke McGrath, Nick McCarthy, James Ryan, and Jack Kelly.
“It’s a pretty steady stream from down the road.”
Molony is part of an exciting Leinster team this weekend, with the aforementioned Nick McCarthy getting his first start at scrum-half and inside centre Tom Daly set to start a game at the RDS for the first time.
Josh van der Flier returns to the XV at openside, with Jack Conan winning his 50th cap at number eight. On the blindside flank, meanwhile, is Dominic Ryan – set for his final home appearance with Leinster before leaving at the end of the season.
Ryan may yet feature in the Pro12 semi-final for Leinster, although the likes of Dan Leavy, Sean O’Brien, Conan and van der Flier will be favourites to fill the back row slots that day.
“Not at this moment,” confirmed Cullen when asked if Ryan has signed a contract to keep him at Leinster beyond the summer.
It’s still unclear where Ryan will end up playing next season, but Cullen paid tribute to the 27-year-old’s contribution to Leinster over the years.
“Dominic has been a great servant, a very physical player, has come through the system and tomorrow night is another chance for him to showcase his talents. It’s a very competitive area in the squad.
“He’s been a little bit unfortunate this year. He has missed out narrowly on a couple of selections. It’s a great chance to showcase what he can do.”
Indeed, Ryan will be hoping some of the watching clubs are impressed by what he has to offer as he looks to seal a contract ahead of the 2017/18 season.
While Leinster are already qualified into a home semi-final in the Pro12 ahead of the final two regular-season rounds, Cullen expects his players’ motivation to stay high.
Ryan might be playing for a new club, but others who are remaining with Leinster have points to prove too.
“A few guys were unlucky to miss out on selection last Sunday [against Clermont], guys have been pushing really hard, so those guys get a crack,” said Cullen. “It’s their chance to shine.
“I thought they deserved a go. They’ve worked hard and they deserve a chance. Then we’ve got a few bits of experience as well, scattered amongst the team.
“It should be a fast, open game between two teams who like to play. There’s plenty at stake for the guys in our team.”
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