ROB ROY READY TO GO ON THE RAID

DESPITE a “frustrating” few weeks, Rob Kearney insists he’s ready for the Test cauldron in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Having returned from an ankle injury, Kearney found himself stuck in a bench role for Leinster’s final two Champions Cup pool games.

“It was frustrating,” said the 30-year-old. “The difficult thing for me was I half expected it.

“The team was going so well, the back three were playing out of their skin.

“That first week back for the Montpellier game I hadn’t trained until the Monday so there was a bit of uncertainty about just how much I would be able to get through.

“Thankfully for me I came on at 45 minutes and 35 minutes in both games so I got a fair bit of game-time.

Had it not been the case it probably would have been a lot more frustrating.

“The body’s in a good place, we qualified for a home quarter-final, so I’m leaving Leinster in a pretty positive frame of mind.”

Kearney believes there are now four very viable options for Ireland’s No.15 shirt –

Jared Payne (who is injured), Simon Zebo (inset), Tiernan O’halloran and himself. However, having to compete for the jersey is something he’s dealt with right back to the days of Geordan Murphy. “I’m fully aware of the huge level of competition,” he said. “If I’m not playing well I won’t be there too long.

“If I get picked this week I’ll have the full backing of Joe and then it’s up to me to make sure that I keep it.”