Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LOOKING ROSEY
Leinster centre’s back on track as Six Nations looms into focus
GARRY RINGROSE predicts Leinster are ready to deal with more tales of the unexpected after their Champions Cup semi-final disappointment in May.
A disastrous opening quarter against Clermont put paid to the Blues’ hopes back then of making the European decider for the first time since 2012.
But that painful experience was put to good use at the Aviva on Saturday when Leo Cullen’s side recovered from a 17-3 deficit to beat Premiership champs Exeter.
It came six days after a gritty win at the Chiefs and showed again the Blues have the character to go all the way – even if they still have to prove they have the consistency.
Ringrose said: “It is about being composed at times under pressure, especially coming up against sides like Exeter who are so good.
“Likewise against Clermont last year we were naive at times – and me personally as well.
“What’s driven by the coaches and the senior players is that whether we do win or lose we try to learn as much as possible.”
What will encourage Cullen, Stuart Lancaster and the rest of the management team is that the players overcame a number of big setbacks to win. Leinster conceded a third minute try and Johnny Sexton came off injured in the aftermath while replacement Ross Byrne had to pass a head injury assessment to continue.
Cian Healy and Scott Fardy were both binned in the first half too but the province finished it strongly before shutting out Exeter in the second.
“You’ve got to be prepared mentally for the unexpected,” said Ringrose. “It happens, there’s always yellow cards and there’s HIAS now – the medical team are hot on straight away, they don’t take any chances. You have to be prepared for those circumstances.”
Ringrose had been out since the summer through injury and only returned for the recent PRO14 win at Treviso.
In his absence Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell and Stuart Mccloskey performed well for Ireland.
It puts an added emphasis on the Christmas period with Six Nations places up for grabs. The Dubliner said: “I wasn’t getting too bogged down with what else was going on, what was in my control was that first game back.
“I knew the games were coming up against Exeter and I was trying to best prepare myself to put my hand up for selection.”