SEAN CRONIN WAS no stranger to Joe Schmidt’s axe when he found himself unceremoniously cast aside for the final two weeks of Ireland’s sorry Six Nations campaign.
Indeed, an earlier run-in with the Kiwi’s cut-line provides a simple, straightforward template Leinster fans will now hope to see him follow again: the trail he blazed for his province last season after being omitted from Schmidt’s November 2017 squad.
Yet no prior experience can completely dull the sting of being ousted from starting – incredibly – for the first time in the Six Nations to being on the outside as a hefty 37-man squad gathered for the final acts of the tournament.
The woes of Ireland’s misfiring line-out in the win over Italy are over seven weeks passed under the bridge now, though, and with Leinster again chasing two titles Cronin has plenty of big games to keep his focus locked in on.
“I was obviously a small bit disappointed, but that’s part and parcel of being a professional rugby player. You’ve got to take the highs with the lows,” said the hooker as Leinster began their work week ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse.
“What a fantastic opportunity coming back to Leinster, we’re in the business end of the season. All I can do is perform, hopefully get an opportunity to play in massive games and put my best foot forward to (get) re-selected. That’s all I can do.
I think I’m a pretty resilient character. So all I’ve got to do is put the head down, keep working and not focus on stuff that went on a few months before. You’re no good to yourself or team-mates if you’re doing that.”
Improving and bouncing back was a strong running theme for the eastern province today after their Pro14 home defeat to Glasgow Warriors. Cronin is still looking forward to getting a full debrief from Schmidt before, hopefully, returning to the Ireland fold ahead of the World Cup.
“I just had a quick phone call with him, I think he was going back to New Zealand post-Six Nations. I had come back to Leinster. I’m going to catch up with him before the season’s ended to do a quick review.
“I think I’m firmly still in the plans. Like I said, the ball’s in my court. I’ve to make sure I play well. There are other hookers around the country playing well too. That’s all I can do and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Cronin wore a wry smile and gave a succinct two-word answer – “the best” – when asked if his Six Nations experience was good motivation for the run-in facing Leinster and Toulouse marks another massive step to be taken towards their primary goal for the season.
The French giants, fellow four-time European champions, come into the week after a thrilling victory over Clermont in the Top14. But when Cronin uses phrases like ‘the business end’ it’s a reminder that form can mean precious little in knockout matches like this.
“This time last year we came in on the back of not great results too.
“Form can count sometimes, sometimes it can’t. It’s a new week, a new build-up, it’s a special competition. The build-up’s slightly different, the buzz. Guys are willing to get started working today. There’s a huge amount of preparation goes into these games. Today’s the day we start.”
“These weeks are pretty special, to be involved in the business end of a massive European competition. There’s a pep in lads’ step when they come in.
“I think of our best performances this year was Toulouse at home, but I think we’re going to have to go up a few levels to make sure we’re in a final come the middle of May.”
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Huge fan of seanie, he’s a class act and needs to be utilised more by ireland. Leinster get the best out of him and Schmidt needs to as well. So what if he overthrows the odd lineout, so does Best and Scannell, he more than makes up for it with his ball carrying and close in work. If Ireland are to do well in the World Cup then I think we need our top players on the park and for me cronin is one of them. He’s a european player of the year nominee for a reason and to even contemplate leaving him out is ridiculous.
@Jim Demps: well said Jim lad
@Jim Demps: I genuinely think that Schmidt knows what he has with him and has nothing more to learn about him whereas guys like Herring and Scannell are excellent options that Schmidt wants to develop some more . I can’t see Cronin as a starting hooker for Ireland with Schmidt against the top level of opponents . If he lost Best , Cronin would still be a bench option .
@Jim Demps: Irelands problems at the SN were not down to Seanie, he’ll be back, trouble is there’s a log jam at 2 with the auld lad in the way.
@Jim Demps:
I would agree with you he will be the number 2 hooker for the world Cup
Still believe he will be on the bench for the W C and as he said he is in the picture window for all to see. All I want from him is his last years form, getting his darts, driving around the field and scoring tries from our Mauls. I think he is the best “Off The Bench Player” in the country.
@Martin Quinn: couldn’t make any sense of that without all the colons Marty!
@Joe Kennedy:
Still believe he will be on the bench for the W C:: as he said he is in the picture window for all to see:::. All we are looking from him is his last year form :: getting his darts:: ponding around the field ::scoring tries from all our Mauls :::. I think he is the best “Off The Bench Player” in the country::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
To my good friend Joe :: : ) : ).
Despite how the 6 nations went for him, he still has to be Irelands 2nd choice hooker. His impact with 20 mins to go makes him one of the most dangerous hookers in the world
Best hooker in Ireland by a fair bit..
This game is going to be Epic,the build up the Hype will go off the charts