SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP INTERVIEW: WILL CONNORS INTERVIEW
By Daire Walsh
Donadea’s Will Connors continued his rapid rise through the ranks of professional rugby with a dream Ireland debut at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Thrown in at the deep end alongside Caelan Doris and CJ Stander in the back-row, the 24-year-old crashed over for a second half try and was consequently awarded player of the match for his all-action display at openside flanker as Ireland convincingly dispatched the challenge of Italy.
Considering he found himself behind the likes of Josh van der Flier, Dan Leavy (prior to his injury) and Scott Penny at Leinster a little over 12 months ago, Connors has displayed remarkable perseverance to get himself to this stage. Despite encountering road blocks along the way, he always believed an Irish cap was within his grasp.
“Every boys dream is to play for Ireland. I’ve had a few injury set-backs over the last while but constantly this was the goal. Where I wanted to go. I kept trucking away. I knew my time would come if I just kept at it,” Connors remarked after Saturday’s game.
“It is an unbelievably competitive position [openside flanker], but that’s just the beauty of it. We are all pushing each other incredibly hard. Even Josh was great helping me to expand on my breakdown game. Things I was probably poor at. You are constantly trying to get better at your weaknesses.”
Whereas in an ideal world would have celebrated this moment in front of his family and close friends, this wasn’t possible in the current climate of behind closed doors sporting contests. Nevertheless, it will forever be a cherished memory for the former Clongowes Wood College student.
“It’s unusual but I’m unbelievably grateful to even be out here. It’s obviously a tough time for the country and people have to abide by legislation, stay at home, and being able to go out there today was extra special, being able to express ourselves and things.
“I suppose not having people clap you out and stuff is tough because everyone wants to be here, drive the team on. It is difficult in that aspect, but it was still incredibly special.”
The day was made extra special for Connors by the fact that he was joined in making his international bow by three of his provincial team-mates. With the game winding down in the second half, Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park were introduced off the bench to add extra zeal to the Irish challenge.
Before then, Hugo Keenan had grabbed a brace of opening period tries in his first appearance at this grade. Connors and the Blackrock College previously represented Ireland together at Sevens and U20s level.
While it won’t always be as comfortable as Saturday’s 50-17 bonus point win, the duo’s double act looks set to continue in the coming months.
“Hugo is one of my best friends and it was incredible to able to head out there and share that moment with him. He had a cracking game, I’d slag him a bit for not scoring tries and it was nice to see him come up at the other end of it.”
Either side of the lockdown that saw professional rugby halted on these shores for close to six months, Connors gained rave reviews for his chop-tackling technique. Although this undoubtedly helped him to secure a spot in Andy Farrell’s squad, he is keen not to be pigeon holed as a specific kind of player.
“I’m constantly trying to work on my game. I did get knocked back a few times but I’ll look at that, see what happened. I don’t want to be a one-trick pony. I’m constantly trying to work on my weaknesses and I think that’s why the back row is so good. We’re all working together to try to get the best out of each other.”
Having gotten 80 minutes of international rugby under his belt, Connors is eager for another shot at the number seven jersey. By the time Ireland take to the field in Saint-Denis to face France on Saturday evening (kick-off 8pm Irish time), it is expected a bonus point will be required in order to secure the Six Nations title in Farrell’s maiden campaign at the helm.
Even though he emerged as the game’s outstanding performer on Saturday, Connors realises there is no guarantee of retaining his place for the final round of a truncated campaign.
“That’s the thing, we step back into Monday and we go again. It is an open table as to who is going to be playing in that backrow and that’s the beauty of it. Incredible competition and I will put my best foot forward and I know the lads will so we will drive each other,” Connors added.