Porter packs a whole lot in
Prop juggles UCD and Blues life
HE’S less than two weeks shy of his 22nd birthday, but Andrew Porter has already squeezed quite an impressive amount of achievements into his burgeoning rugby career.
Since making his Leinster debut at the beginning of last season, the young prop has successfully made the difficult switch across the front row from loosehead to tighthead, represented the province in the Champions Cup and sufficiently impressed Joe Schmidt to have already earned three Ireland caps — no mean feat given the standard of competition standing in his way, with Leinster’s first-choice No.3, Tadhg Furlong, widely recognised as the premier tighthead in the northern hemisphere.
As you can imagine, trying to catch the eye when stuck behind the formidable frame of Furlong is quite a time-consuming business, so there are other areas of Porter’s life that have had to take something of a back seat as he continues to move up the ladder at Leinster HQ.
‘I am doing economics in UCD at the moment and it’s kind of tough to juggle them both; rugby and college,’ Porter explains.
‘I’ve missed almost 100 per cent of the lectures. I’d be in maybe once or twice every month, because the times clash so much with training. But the people in UCD, they’ve been more than happy to provide me with tutors and everything I need outside of college hours.
‘[I’m doing] A bit of maths, a lot of statistics, macro and microeconomics. It’s kind of tough when you can’t really make the lectures, so I am almost teaching myself off YouTube videos at the moment. But it’s not going too badly. Fingers cross I’ve passed my Christmas exams.
‘I’m in year two-and-a-half almost. I’ve split it up so that I’m doing half the workload every semester. It makes it a bit more manageable.
‘It gives you another side of discipline, like how to manage your time. I wouldn’t be one to cram all my work into the end of the semester when the exams are coming up. I’d be looking to pick a few minutes here and there — whatever I need to do.’
Of course, the academic side is only one part of student life, but Porter insists that the thrill of being involved in an exciting new phase in the history of Leinster Rugby more than makes up for missing the big college nights out with his friends.
‘I know college life is going out most weeks, most days. But I’m more suited to a more disciplined lifestyle. It’s always what I’ve done day in, day out, even in secondary school. I wouldn’t say I miss it, but I prefer what I’m doing now.
‘I enjoy myself every day. I get to come in and do what I love every day. I get to play rugby, play with my mates every day.
‘If I said four years ago I would be doing this, I don’t think I would have believed myself. It is great being able to come in and do what you love.’
Porter came through the ranks at St Andrew’s College, and looking back to his time as a schools player he recalls having some concerns about his chances of making the grade, considering he wasn’t in one of the bigger, more traditional rugby schools on Dublin’s southside.
‘When I was trying to get recognised as a rugby player, I was wondering if I’d ever break through. Would not being in a big rugby school have affected me?
‘I wouldn’t say it’s more of a challenge, but it’s definitely a motivating factor, being able to represent a small rugby school compared to bigger school like Blackrock or St Michael’s. It was almost a driving factor to show what this little school that wouldn’t be known for rugby can do.’
Not that Porter is the only St Andrew’s man on the Leinster roster. His old schoolmate, Jordan Larmour, is the latest young Leinster prospect to put in a star turn, with his superb individual effort away to Munster on St Stephen’s Day a fairly safe bet for Pro14 try of the season.
And Porter admits his old schoolmate has looked the real deal from a young age. ‘I remember watching him play a juniors game and seeing him running rings around people. You kind of knew he had that natural flair and ability. Seeing him grow as a person and a player, it’s amazing to see him now. We always knew, everyone in the school knew, that he was destined for great things. ‘I was in sixth year and he was in fourth year at the time, and he slotted in just fine. Just like he is doing now.’ Larmour’s electrifying displays this season have only served to intensify the spotlight on the conveyor belt of fresh talent available to the province, and while many young players would talk down their chances of making an impression at the top level, Porter explains that seeing so many of his peers excel after making the step up into the senior team is a sign that they can go on to even bigger and better things. ‘You have a higher ceiling for your abilities if you push yourself and have the right attitude,’ he continues. ‘I can’t use my age as an excuse at the moment. I just have to keep backing my ability and keep pushing myself.’ Encouraging words that indicate this is one eager student who will continue to perfect his craft. Andrew Porter was in the RDS to launch LifeStyle Sports’ latest competition where fans attending Leinster’s next four home games will have an opportunity to win a €50 gift card