Unsurprisingly, given his brilliance for Ireland, Hugo Keenan's injury dominated the media chat after Ireland beat Italy in round two of the Six Nations. Such has been the performances and durability of Keenan over the last number of years Andy Farrell has not had to tinker with the full back position at all.
However, when it was confirmed Keenan would miss out on the game last Saturday, there was uncertainty about who would take his place. It turned out to be Keenan's Leinster teammate Ciarán Frawley and speaking as part of Energia's #HALFAFAN campaign, Keenan said he was pleased for the Skerries man, who is also his neighbour.
"I thought he [Frawley] went very well, didn't he? It was great to see it. I don't think anyone had any doubts about him, he's an incredible footballer, we've all seen it for Leinster and the small bits that he's got a chance with a green jersey as well.
"He's got a bit more time at 15, and I think there were probably a few question marks around who would play there with Jimmy [O'Brien] and Mack [Hansen] out, but we were all very confident in him. It was great for him to get settled in early and get a try as well. I was delighted for him."
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While missing out on the game was tough for Keenan to deal with, he had no qualms about Frawley stepping in. Given the quality of the Irish set up he has been similarly unsurprised at how the likes of Calvin Nash and Jack Crowley have been able to seamlessly slot in to the team.
I think it was probably a case for each of them that they've been biding their time over the last couple of years. They've obviously all been in the last year or two whether it was in the summer, in the training camp. I know Frawls and Nashy missed out on the actual World Cup squad but they've been involved in tours and campaigns before that as well.
So they've been ready for the last while and its just a case of waiting for the right opportunities or waiting for a certain Johnny Sexton to retire as well. So we've seen them performing for provinces or in the green jersey before. So it definitely wasn't a surprise to me that these lads are stepping up and playing at a top, top level and doing a great job at it.
Energia #HalfAFan Campaign with Energia Ambassador Hugo Keenan 27/2/2024
Energia ambassador and Irish Rugby International, Hugo Keenan was speaking as part of Energia’s #HalfAFan campaign. As proud partner of Ireland Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, Energia understands that being a partner to both teams means showing support for both - so don't just be #HalfAFan.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
On his own injury, Keenan is confident he can make it back in time for the trip to Twickenham and help Ireland continue their quest for successive Grand Slam titles.
Rehab's progressing well, so that's the plan, hoping to get back for England.
I've been worked hard, I've been in rehabbing the last day or two as well while the rest of the squad's been off, so it's always the annoying side of it, you don't really get your days off. I'm happy with how it's coming along, and progressing well.
The former Blackrock college man has had a brilliant few years becoming Irish Rugby's premier fullback as well as one of the top 15s in the world. However, his career trajectory has not always been clear and Keenan looks back fondly on his time spent with the Ireland sevens side. While he's delighted with his success in the 15s game, he admits he holds a tinge of envy to his former teammates lifestyle.
I suppose my experience with the sevens was basically getting them qualified for the World Series, getting them qualified for the Olympics. But I never got to bear the fruits of enjoying the touring aspect of going all around the world or getting to Tokyo. So, you do get a small bit jealous of them being in Perth or Singapore or Hong Kong.
I always loved my time with the sevens. I've a great relationship with a few of the lads who are still there, who I played with and its even good seeing them around the HPC getting to chat to them a good bit and then obviously you do get a bit of jealousy when they'll be heading off to Tokyo (Paris) this year too.
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In recent years the Irish 7s and 15s for both men and women's teams have all congregated at the IRFU's HPC and Keenan has gotten to know a lot of the different players during that time. As he was speaking for the #HALFAFAN campaign, he underlined the importance of extending the unbelievable support they have received in the men's game to the women's team also with the Guinness Women's Six Nations looming.
We've been fortunate enough to have an incredible support, following us over to the likes of France in such incredible numbers and then again in this Six Nations.
So, it's helped us I suppose get to the performance levels that we've been trying to (achieve) and it genuinely does make such a difference for us and it's the exact same in the women's game. That if we can get big crowds behind them its gonna help them and gonna push them on.
Energia ambassador and Irish Rugby International, Hugo Keenan was speaking as part of Energia’s #HalfAFan campaign. As proud partner of Ireland Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, Energia understands that being a partner to both teams means showing support for both - so don't just be #HalfAFan.
