Russell keen to make most of chance
Daire Walsh
Having seen limited game time thus far in the current campaign, Rob Russell is hoping to seize upon an opportunity to impress for Leinster in their URC clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park this Saturday (7.35pm).
To date in the 2023/24 season, Russell has made just seven appearances for the province – registering three tries across four starts and three outings off the bench. While he had only played two games more at the same point last season, he had been selected in the Leinster starting line-up on six occasions and had an impressive eight tries to his name.
A knock he picked up in a recent URC victory over Benetton at the RDS meant he wasn’t involved in the province’s friendly defeat to Saracens in London last Friday, but the 25-year-old winger trained on Monday and is expected to feature against Cardiff.
“I think compared to last season, I probably haven’t played as much games. I think there has just been limited opportunities with the competition in the back-three,” Russell explained at a media briefing.
“When you get weeks like this where you might be in, you have to really put your hand up if you want to have a chance of getting in at the end of the season when all the lads are back. It’s important weeks for someone like me, when there’s a chance to get a start.”
Making waves
Before joining the Leinster Academy at the advanced age of 22, Rob Russell was part of the Ireland U20s squad that secured a Six Nations Grand Slam under Noel McNamara in 2019. In addition to a number of his colleagues from that success now being in the Ireland senior squad, several others have been making significant waves at provincial level. Russell is pleased to see so many of his group thriving in the professional game.ll
“It’s funny looking back at the group we had. We had a great team and I think the majority of the group are all playing in one of the provinces or are getting a lot of regular game time. We had a great team, so it’s nice looking back. It kind of brings back those memories of playing with those lads,” Russell added.