ADRIAN FLAVIN EARNED his 100 cap for Connacht last Saturday.
While Ulster Rugby made a soft-rock tribute to Stephen Ferris upon reaching the century landmark, the 33-year-old hooker is happy to graft for the hard yards up front and leave the legacy talk until he has hung up his rugby boots.
TheScore.ie caught up with Flavin ahead of Friday’s Pro12 match against Glasgow Warriors. Here is what he had to say:
Congratulations on reaching 100 caps.
“I think that is 100 league caps. I remember playing my 100th game for Connacht last year but I was told on Twitter about the league games. It means that I can tell my kids that Daddy wasn’t a bad player when they were young and I’ll have some proof to show for it.”
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Connacht’s plans for 2012/13 has been hindered by the long-term injury to scrum-half Frank Murphy. How big of an impact will it have?
“When someone as influential as Frank Murphy gets an injury, it is a challenge to any team to respond. Kieran Marimon (the new scrum-half) is not afraid to give a wise old forward a bit of a bollicking if they get in the way. He probably gets that from Frank, and there’s no better man.”
You led 8-0 against Scarlets last week before coughing up the lead. How frustrating was that?
“To let any team out of the bag like that is disappointing. It was that 10 minutes after half time when they scored 17 points. We got ourselves together again and could have still won before that late (Jonathan Davies) try on the break.”
How does Connacht bounce back against a team, like Glasgow Warriors, that has Pro12 ambitions?
“Against the Warriors, you always know that it will be physical. They are aggressive in how they play and in their defence. You know that you have to match them physically. They are looking for their first win of the season at home so they will be gunning for us but, likewise, we will be gunning for them.”
Warriors back-row James Eddie has predicted a warm welcome for Flavin and his Connacht teammates. (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
You drew 13-13 against them in Galway before losing 24-3 away. What do you expect this time?
“With Sean Lamont and DTH van der Merwe, they have dangerous players on either wing. They are an up-front team and I think that, over the years, they provide one of the most physical challenges you’ll ever come across.”
You are now in your seventh season with Connacht. Does Galway feel like home yet?
“My wife loves the place and the main thing now is that I can define the rain. I know the difference between proper rain and some drizzle – that’s important. We love it here, though, and my two sons have been born in Galway. I’d be so happy if they played for Connacht in the future.”
Connacht started last season with a blank canvas but you are in the Heineken Cup for the second year in a row. What is the main goal?
“It is something we have looked at and talked about a lot – improving every year. We want to win more games at home and build on our achievements in Europe. The main goal is going that one step further from last and that begins this Friday and winning away in Glasgow.”
Engage!: Connacht's Adrian Flavin gunning for Warriors in Glasgow
ADRIAN FLAVIN EARNED his 100 cap for Connacht last Saturday.
While Ulster Rugby made a soft-rock tribute to Stephen Ferris upon reaching the century landmark, the 33-year-old hooker is happy to graft for the hard yards up front and leave the legacy talk until he has hung up his rugby boots.
TheScore.ie caught up with Flavin ahead of Friday’s Pro12 match against Glasgow Warriors. Here is what he had to say:
Congratulations on reaching 100 caps.
“I think that is 100 league caps. I remember playing my 100th game for Connacht last year but I was told on Twitter about the league games. It means that I can tell my kids that Daddy wasn’t a bad player when they were young and I’ll have some proof to show for it.”
Connacht’s plans for 2012/13 has been hindered by the long-term injury to scrum-half Frank Murphy. How big of an impact will it have?
“When someone as influential as Frank Murphy gets an injury, it is a challenge to any team to respond. Kieran Marimon (the new scrum-half) is not afraid to give a wise old forward a bit of a bollicking if they get in the way. He probably gets that from Frank, and there’s no better man.”
You led 8-0 against Scarlets last week before coughing up the lead. How frustrating was that?
“To let any team out of the bag like that is disappointing. It was that 10 minutes after half time when they scored 17 points. We got ourselves together again and could have still won before that late (Jonathan Davies) try on the break.”
How does Connacht bounce back against a team, like Glasgow Warriors, that has Pro12 ambitions?
“Against the Warriors, you always know that it will be physical. They are aggressive in how they play and in their defence. You know that you have to match them physically. They are looking for their first win of the season at home so they will be gunning for us but, likewise, we will be gunning for them.”
Warriors back-row James Eddie has predicted a warm welcome for Flavin and his Connacht teammates. (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
You drew 13-13 against them in Galway before losing 24-3 away. What do you expect this time?
“With Sean Lamont and DTH van der Merwe, they have dangerous players on either wing. They are an up-front team and I think that, over the years, they provide one of the most physical challenges you’ll ever come across.”
You are now in your seventh season with Connacht. Does Galway feel like home yet?
“My wife loves the place and the main thing now is that I can define the rain. I know the difference between proper rain and some drizzle – that’s important. We love it here, though, and my two sons have been born in Galway. I’d be so happy if they played for Connacht in the future.”
Connacht started last season with a blank canvas but you are in the Heineken Cup for the second year in a row. What is the main goal?
“It is something we have looked at and talked about a lot – improving every year. We want to win more games at home and build on our achievements in Europe. The main goal is going that one step further from last and that begins this Friday and winning away in Glasgow.”
Read: Signs of Rob Penney’s rugby philosophy taking shape at Munster
Read: Connacht in green hands as scrum-half Frank Murphy faces six months out
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