BLUES DUO IS ENVY OF OPPONENTS
FERGUS McFADDEN insists Leinster now possess another stellar midfield partnership that is the envy of rugby. It was the combination of Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy which backboned the province’s spell of European greatness, the trophy won three times in four seasons.
That feared duo reached an end with their respective retirements in 2014 and 2015. However, McFadden feels Leinster’s midfield no longer has a soft centre following the recruitment of new Lions pick Robbie Henshaw, 23, from Connacht last summer and the emergence of 22-yearold Garry Ringrose.
‘You don’t want to give them the kiss of death or speak people up too much, but the potential Robbie and Garry have at the age they are at is pretty scary,’ he said.
‘They have wise heads on young shoulders but their actual rugby ability is huge and they have got really great rugby brains. .
‘It’s really refreshing to see fantastic young guys come into the set up and just be so grounded.’