JORD OF THE RINGS..
Larmour’s rise is stuff of fantasy.. but back wants more
‘ELECTRIC’ Jordan Larmour is a man in a hurry but as he lives the dream with star-studded Leinster he appreciates the need for patience.
Earmarked as one for the future while in the Blues’ underage structures, the exciting back has been thrust into the limelight in his breakthrough season.
The 20-year-old, comfortable across the back three, grew up watching Brian O’driscoll, Johnny Sexton, Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa strut their stuff.
And in the case of the latter three, not only are they his idols but now team-mates.
Larmour said: “The memory that stands out to me was in the Heineken Cup when Brian O’driscoll got that interception from Ronan O’gara.
“I was there with my friends, and when I saw that I knew ‘that’s what I want to do’.”
The product of St Andrews College is also on Joe Schmidt’s radar as a future candidate for international honours.
Only last month, Nacewa described him as one of the most exciting prospects in the country.
“He’s electric,” said Nacewa at the time. “He’s an out-andout finisher.
“He’s one of those you want to get the ball to and see what happens.
“You expect something to happen. He’s a ball of energy and he’s bloody fun to play with!”
High praise, but fighting for a spot in a side with such an embarrassment of riches means Larmour knows he must bide his time.
With 10 appearances this season – and a role off the bench in both Champions Cup wins over Exeter – he could be thrust into the Thomond Park melting pot next week. That would mean a mouthwatering St Stephen’s Day clash with another star he admires, Keith Earls (left), is on the cards as the Munster and Ireland ace is due back from injury. Larmour said: “It’s tough to get into the Champions Cup side but you want to put your best side forward.
“I got off to a slow start and then got a few more chances off the bench and I showed what I could do. I still think I’ve a lot more to show.
“The team we have, there’s so much depth.
“You are playing with British and Irish Lions and I don’t know how many Irish caps there are here – tons.
“The under-20 Leinster and Irish set-ups are really good but you still see a bit of a jump when you come here.
“You step out of line or you make mistakes, someone lets you know about it. They do it in a productive way. I’m loving it so far.”
And Larmour is eager to learn as much as he can from the players he idolised from the stands as a teenager.
“I always wanted to do what they were doing and now I have the opportunity. I like to back myself,” he said.