“NOW I’VE GOT a missus from Galway and dogs that are from Buttevant, so I’d say I am becoming more and more Irish by the day,” jokes Jean Kleyn. But his Ireland World Cup credentials are a serious matter indeed.
The South African-produced Munster second row made his international debut for his adopted nation on Saturday just two days after officially becoming eligible under the old three-year residency rule.
Having been granted early release by the Western Province back in 2016, it would appear that his potential, power and close-range effectiveness has been on the minds within Irish rugby for quite a while. And it is now entirely conceivable that he could join the lock rotation with incumbents Devin Toner and James Ryan during the imminent World Cup.
“That would be immense,” Kleyn says of the potential trip to Japan, “playing for one of the best rugby nations in the world in the biggest competition. There is no greater achievement in rugby, really.
“As far as putting my hand up, I played as hard as I could and, hopefully, I have done enough.
“I will go back to the coaches and see what they have to say and correct everything they want me to correct. We will go from there.”
Newly inducted into Test rugby, it seemed that nothing could spoil Kleyn’s good mood on Saturday afternoon.
Not the fresh scar across his forehead…
The doctors were saying it will make for a good story, ‘where did you get that scar?“Playing my first cap for Ireland.”
… nor the prospect of Joe Schmidt’s infamous reviews.
To me, there were a lot of things I did wrong, a few things I did right too.“You know, I will go have a look at myself and then try to improve on everything I find fault with – which will probably be loads.”
After working through an intense pre-season camp in which he, more than most, will have been required to study hard in order to catch up on Schmidt’s methods, the 25-year-old was thrilled to make it to the international arena.
“The detail is immense. I suppose that is one of the things that makes us, I can say ‘us’ now, such a good team is the fact that we are so detail-focused. And we get all small things right, so big things work.
“It’s been a good journey for me. I suppose it’s been better than coming into a Six Nations camp because we have actually had a pre-season.
“Things have been sort of drip-fed instead of everything being lumped on you at the same time and being told to learn.
“It has been a more gradual process but it’s definitively high on detail and high on intent. Everyone here is obviously here to win.
“There is no second guessing that or second guessing anyone’s effort either. It’s always good to be in an environment like that because everyone wants to be the best they can.”
“It was an incredible feeling man. I made a lot of sacrifices to get to a point and then when it finally gets there, you realise that it was all worth it.
“To play for my second home, my adopted country, it’s been an incredible honour and it’s a privilege.
“It was incredible to be out there with the lads today. I’d say this is probably home to me than anywhere else has ever been. It was an incredible feeling and I am incredibly blessed.”
Let’s hope he gets enough good ball to show what he can do. He definitely brings a creative spark that sometimes lacks from our play.
@Brian O’Driscoll: Given question marks over Sexton fitness we can’t have too much cover in this area. He should go.
Hope Carty has a great game and this team get back to winning ways
@Finnster1977: to be fair I think this game given the welsh team they’ve picked will create doubt either way unfortunately. Damned if you do well cos they were muck or damned if don’t cos it was like a training game with errors or zero patterns.
@Chicinho: Gatland is not treating this as a training game irrespective of unofficial agreement with Schmidt
Fair play to him! Sounds like he’s geared up for it! Im really lookin forward to watchin him the lads give it a lash today. Coybig ☘️
Hope he does great. Interesting that Friend gives him a license to play what’s in front of him.
He won’t have that in the Ireland 10 shirt. He has prospered with the Connacht approach.
Will be interesting to see how he copes with a very structured approach.
Marmion can win the number 9 shirt with a good performance today.
Murray is still not at the races and if he keeps getting picked whilst struggling our WC will be a disaster.
Coaches are going to finalise the WC squad after today’s match.
How does that effect someone like Conor Murray who isn’t playing today?
Has he done enough at Twickenham to get a seat on the plane?
Or was he going to travel anyway?
Interesting sub plots.
They could have just finalised the squad next week when more guys have had a chance to show some form.
@Oran Burns: Murray is going even if his form is dire as there is no viable backup bar Marmion. If Marmion has to play while Murray rediscovers his form then fine but Murray at his best is world class he just needs to remember his best, get to rucks quicker and get quicker ball away without taking those two steps which allows defensive lines to advance so quickly onto the Irish attacking line.
@Oran Burns: no they couldn’t, world rugby want the squad sunday
@Oran Burns:
“Friend gives him a license to play what’s in front of him”
You are talking about a PRO14 game, there is a little difference between that and WC rugby::.When Murray is on his game he is world class but Marmion at his best in not near that :: If he does a half decent job he is on the plane:: I said that last week whoever got picked against England got the hard card and did not have much of chance of Japan:: Marmion is on the plane::
Big day out for Carty, with Byrne failing to flatter last weekend a semi decent performance from Jack should see him on the plane.
I’d be expecting a big push back today from the team- performances both individually and collectively and a result is what’s needed to get things back on track and get a bit of confidence back into the group. Really looking forward to today’s game.
When was the last time a Welsh squad had no player called “Jones”?
@JoeO: Ha!! probably never.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK AND GOOD LUCK TO DAY
Scannell, Bierne , Carty and Conway have a great opportunity to book their place for Japan or even lay the foundation for a starting position against Scotland. Conan also of course. If he and Beirne have outstanding games today then I believe they should be involved next week again against stronger opposition for further scrutiny at the highest level.IMO they are too talented not to be starting.
@Tom Reilly:
The most interesting thing about this game regarding players is “Beirne ” How he will get on with the other B/R players and will they make a good unit ???
@Martin Quinn: Yeah good point Martin. It’s a pity VDF isn’t at 7 as the BR would look more balanced.
Really interesting to hear Ryan is vice captain.
Strange looking Welsh side. Still play what’s in front of you. I expect Gatland to crush us in one or other, maybe both matchs. Shouldn’t happen today even if it’s Cardiff. Oh and good luck Jack and COYBIG