This guy has something special.
It shouldn’t have been so easy for Leinster against the Dragons on Friday night. Even though the Welsh side are enduring a woeful season, having lost six of their eight games in the competition prior to this encounter, it should have been more of a game.
Leinster have 15 players away on Ireland duty, readying themselves for Saturday’s clash against Argentina. They sent a host more players into Carton House during the week to rile the Irish pack up for the Argentinians.
They showed a lack of respect to these Dragons. A lack of respect that would have enraged a better outfit, a lack of respect that should have provoked a reaction.
It didn’t, and Leinster proved their vast, wide-ranging superiority.
On this evidence, it’s easy to why the Dragons are lagging near the bottom of the table. They were toothless in attack and just as hapless in defence.
That’s a Welsh problem, though, and a youthful Leinster side showed that we have good reason to be excited.
22-year-old Ross Byrne again stood up to the mark at out-half. His crisp passing, and the outstanding accuracy of his cross-field kicking was crucial to Leinster attaining a foothold in this game.
Because, surprisingly, they were trailing 10-0 after 15 minutes. Fittingly, the Dragons didn’t register another score in the game, as Leo Cullen’s men went onto win 54-10.
Byrne wasn’t the only 22-year-old standing out, with Leinster’s blindside Josh Murphy impressing on his first start for the province. He gains a frightening head of steam in his carries, and his ferocity at the breakdown is effective.
A 31st minute try was just reward for his efforts.
Nobody had the RDS crowd purring quite like the man with number 15 on his back, however. 20-year-old full back Jordan Larmour buzzed around the back-line from from start to finish in Donnybrook.
He’s an ever-willing soldier, eager to gain possession, always primed to carry with explosiveness.
His speed off the mark is a sight to behold with his legs pumping up and down like pistons. This speed, combined with his step and elusiveness ensures that he glides by the defenders with sumptuous ease.
Just look at this for zip.
….agus ansin úd bónas 🙂 @leinsterrugby #Pro14 #LEIvDRA pic.twitter.com/d6B53j6Ai6
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 24, 2017
He scored a try himself, but his direct running paved the way for at least two more.
His stats told the full story.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb5KBNOF7HY/?taken-by=sportsjoedotie
- 13 carries.
- 104 metres made.
- Two clean breaks.
- 10 defenders beaten.
- 1 try.
- 1 assist.
That’s some going. That’s a talent.
A talent that reminded many of a young Rob Kearney. If his career takes off like Kearney’s did, he wouldn’t be doing half bad.
Jordan Larmour compared to Rob Kearney countless times after that win but @mairetreasa captures it perfectly
'Draíocht speisialta!'
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) November 24, 2017
For now, his focus will be on grabbing Kearney’s place.
