EYE WILL SURVIVE
Dan’s been in wars but wants to be last man standing when he takes on Beirne
THERE’LL be bodies on the line when Dan Leavy collides with Tadhg Beirne in Saturday’s semi-final breakdown battle.
Leavy is eyeing Champions Cup glory with Leinster after being part of Ireland’s Grand Slam success and will happily do whatever it takes.
But he knows Kildare man Beirne will do the same as he aims to leave Scarlets on a high next month. Sporting bulbous swelling around his right eye, Leavy labelled himself Quasimodo after the province’s quarterfinal victory over Saracens at the start of the month. The 23-yearold’s desire to throw himself in where it hurts was also a highlight of the Six Nations triumph but earned him a scar close to that same eye.
“The modelling career isn’t going to kick off so I’ll take two black eyes to get through this game,” quipped the flanker. “That’s just the way I’ve always been. To some people it might look like it’s a bit dangerous but if you’re second guessing yourself in the back row, especially as a No7 going for the ball, you’re going to hurt yourself. You’re either all in or you’re out.”
No doubt then that Leavy is relishing the prospect of his face-off with Beirne (inset), who has been in scintillating form for the Welsh club since his move from Leinster two years ago.
His time at the province ended in frustration due to a series of injuries and false starts but he is now set for a summer move to Munster. Leavy admitted: “I’ve always held Tadhg in very high regard. In the Academy it used to be a straight-out brawl between me and Tadhg and all the senior players. “We were trying to prove ourselves and they were trying to keep us down in the Academy for as long as possible.
“He was very unlucky with injuries in his time here. You definitely need that bit of luck and it didn’t really fall for him here. “Ultimately the cream rises to the top and he’s done fantastically over there. He definitely always had a lot of talent and is someone who puts his body on the line. “He’s showed his durability. I’d say Munster are delighted to have him for next season.”