Dan Leavy looks ahead to the match against Glasgow Warriors this Friday in the Guinness PRO12 and discusses the positive mood in the squad after the recent run of victories in the league.
Scoring the decisive try in his first Leinster start at the RDS Arena rounded out a successful few weeks for Dan Leavy.
The former St Michael’s Senior Cup-winning captain scored his first senior try away to Zebre to claim a bonus point for Leinster in final minutes of the game. That was followed a week later by the aforementioned try, against Ospreys, at the South Stand end of the RDS.
When asked about his recent try-scoring exploits by the media this week, however, Leavy was more inclined to focus on areas the team will be looking to improve on rather than his own personal milestones.
“It was great to get a run out in the RDS,” the 21-year-old told the media this week.
“It was a tricky enough game (against Ospreys). I think we did well in the first half to build up such a good lead, but then we weren’t clinical enough. Ospreys got back in the game and we made it a lot harder for ourselves than we should have. All in all, it was a good win. It’s left us at the end of a four week block with 18 out of 20 points, which is pretty good going considering the internationals are gone.”
Four wins in a row, with senior internationals away on 6 Nations duty, hasn’t done confidence among the group any harm, and this has only incentivised a mostly young squad of players to push on to better things, starting with this Friday’s game away to Glasgow Warriors.
“There’s a very good buzz at the moment,” Leavy said,”we’ve got a good streak of games going. I think the chemistry is starting to come together quite well, we’ve been playing together for a few weeks now. We’re sitting pretty at the moment but we want to push on and get the top spot this weekend with our game in hand.
“Obviously you’re going to the reigning champs away, so it’s always going to be a tough battle. Gregor Townsend’s a great coach; he’s always got them drilled well. They’re a tough team to beat, so when we go over we have to be more clinical and take all the points we can.”
Leavy has featured in four of Leinster’s last five Guinness PRO12 games, playing 246 minutes in total, including the full 80 in last two wins over Zebre and Ospreys. Although he has 12 senior caps to his name, pulling on the blue jersey still feels special.
“It’s always really exciting pulling on the Leinster jersey and to play with a lot of internationals in the team, a lot of great players. It’s good to challenge yourself and I’m absolutely loving it.
“I think for all the younger players – there might be a few internationals gone – there’s a few more opportunities floating about so it’s important to put your hand up and make a good claim to the jersey when you can.
“It’s a really good environment; there’s a lot of world-class players around the place. Even if you’re not playing matches you’re always pushing yourself and you’re always trying to work your way up the ranks.”
While he may have long-term goals, for now, Leavy is very much focused on Friday.
“It’s week-by-week. Glasgow’s all I have on my mind. I think I have the same mindset as most players. If you look at the bigger picture you won’t do yourself any favours, so just take it week-by-week, step-by-step and look forward to the next challenge.”
On April 2nd in Aviva Stadium two proud provinces will collide. Tickets for Leinster v Munster are on sale now from €;20.
