HIGHLY-SKILLED, ATHLETIC and effective at the ruck, Max Deegan’s best position is at number 8.
But he has had to be versatile when racking up 51 caps in the nearly-three years his Leinster debut.
In the post-Jamie Heaslip era at Leinster Jack Conan naturally filled the void. And when the Ireland number 8 has been away, this past year Caelan Doris has been consistently preferred in the position. Deegan has kept his shoulder to the wheel, packing down at both openside and blindside in order to make his impression.
“It is tough (dividing attention between three positions), because you want to nail down one position and kind of have that perfect,” says Deegan.
“I’m kind of used to that. You might cover two positions in a game and if someone comes off the bench you can slide across to the other one. I’m well used to it at this stage so it’s no problem but it’s definitely more difficult than just sticking to one position all of the time.”
When Leinster travel to face Connacht this evening, Deegan will start at number 8 for Leinster (kick-off 19.35, eir Sport), flanked by Will Connors and Josh Murphy. Increasingly, though, the one position he is getting to focus on is blindside, where his ability as a line-out jumper and footwork in the carry have helped give Leinster an edge.
“I’m starting to like the six role quite a bit at the moment. I like how we play the six.
“I’m really enjoying the line-out aspect and different things like that. Looking forward, I’m liking six, but eight and even seven are all options.”
The squeeze will be on for back row places in Cullen’s squad in the coming weeks with Rhys Ruddock among the replacements today and Josh van der Flier also due back in the fold for Europe.
Leinster titled the opening block of the season ‘own the jersey’ to incentivise their young stars’ performance. Deegan is one of the men who will be pushing to retain a shirt when the Champions Cup opener against Benetton comes around next Saturday.
“I was happy enough with how I went. I played in a few different positions and I was enjoying it, but I’m definitely looking to kick on over the next 11 weeks. I’m looking forward to getting some good game time.
“I think everyone did a great job, all of the younger lads, five wins out of five. It’s been a great block, getting a lot of the younger lads in, a few caps, first starts and things like that.
“It’s been great. But this week all of the lads are back, they were dipping in and out last week but everyone is back now this week.”
We thought there might be a post-World Cup comedown, but then Saracens went and Saracened. Andy Dunne joins Sean Farrell and Gavan Casey as the pod segues from the international to club season.
Deegan’s improvement over the last year has been impressive. He was always a good carrier with explosive acceleration but he’s really worked on his lineout skills, footwork, rucking and handling and it’s paying off. I do think now Doris is the more natural 8 but deegan could be Leinsters 6 for the coming years, his versatility could be a plus for him when in consideration for Irish squads too. He’ll certainly be on Farrell’s radar. Exciting times for the chap.
@Ian Verdon: Has been pretty mixed this season so far. Work rate not where it needs to be to be a top class blindside at the moment. Big game for him tonight to try cement the 8 jersey because Doris has been better up to now.
@Oval Digest: yeah he’s done some really good things so far this season but also some mediocre things, for me sometimes it seems his concentration goes which is very easy to fix. As I said I don’t think his future for Leinster certainly, is in the 8 jersey. Conan and Doris are both better in that position I can see him battling Rhys for the 6 jersey and then Moloney will be in the mix for that jersey too in a few years no doubt.
@Oval Digest: he was s bit slow to get going last season. Second half of the season he was excellent. But yes on the evidence so far this year he needs to do more. The talent is there.
@Ian Verdon: for me his best position by far is 8 and it’s a position we are quite light in at international level so if he is not going to be getting game time at 8 for leinster he should move to one of the other provinces for his own benefit otherwise he’ll end up like Jordi Murphy who I don’t think will ever fulfil his potential now. Great headache for Leinster to have though and the back row is a real position of strength for ye.
@Dino Baggio: I thought he has been average in his two games at 8 this season. I don’t think he has the sheer mass and upper body strength to be our main carrier in the br which he was against Connacht. For me he plays much better in the 6 jersey with Doris at 8. Doris does all the heavy carrying which leaves max more free to stand a little further out where his acceleration and footwork can cause more damage. He does need to up his concentration levels and hit a few more rucks but that’s as I said an easy fix.
A very horny headline
Reminds me a little of Conan. Athletic animal but can drift in and out of games slightly. With Doris looking hugely impressive this is a big chance to stake a claim in Conan’s absence.
Is the IRFU Contract System thwarting competition and making Ireland predictable ?. Out of the 2011 starting WC QTR team v Wales, 100% of players (5) who have not retired started both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, yep 100%…
Out of the 2015 World Cup QTR v ARG, 9 players started the 2019 QTR, 3 players retired, 1 not eligible…Dave Kearney and Toner are the only players to be dropped in 12 years of 3 world cup cycles. So based on past history we already know the starting QTR FINAL Team in 2023 is….
15 Larmour
14 Stockdale
13 Ringrose
12 Henshaw/Aki
11 Conway
10 Carbury
9 Murray
8 Conan
7 JDF
6 POM/CJ
5 Henderson
4 Ryan
3 Furlong
2 Scanell
1 Kilcoyne