WILL CONNORS has committed his future to Leinster knowing that past performances bring no guarantees for the present.
Earlier this week, Connors signed a new contract with the province, confident that it will be worth his while hanging around rather than trying to seek more game-time elsewhere.
Connors, 28, said: “When these decisions come around, you do have to kind of see what else is around.
“It’s an unusual one with Leinster. When you’re growing up playing for this club, watching them the whole way through.
“There’s always that identity to Leinster, where it needs to be something where you really, really want to move.
“When you’re in amongst your best mates, when you’re playing, it’s a tough place to leave, especially when we’re going as well as we’re going.
“There was obviously a bit of deliberation, there was nothing in front of me for a while.
“With injury and stuff, I had to get a few games under my belt. But once it came through, I was fairly happy to commit to it.”
That followed discussions with the Leinster coaching staff to check that he was viewed as a valued asset.
REAL TALK
Connors explained: “You need to have those conversations, you need to figure out where you fit in the plan going forward. Because it is so competitive.
“If there was a plan for you not to be playing in the future, it would be madness to stay on.”
But it would be understandable if the back row felt there had been some mixed messages, based on selection.
Having played in the win away to La Rochelle in December, he was again selected to face the back-to-back winners in the Champions Cup quarter-final last month.
He played a big part in the 40-13 victory which ended a run of three straight knockout defeats to Ronan O’Gara’s side.
And, yet, he did not even make the matchday 23– in part because Leo Cullen favoured a five forwards-three backs split on the bench – for the semi-final against Northampton Saints last Saturday.
Connors sighed: “To shift out for the last game was obviously tough. But I think it’s tight margins on it all.”
But, although he believes the perception of him being a defensive, chop-tackle specialist exists largely outside the camp, he acknowledged he is trying to work on the offensive side of the game.
He said: “It’s more about me trying to push my carrying game and make that a point of difference for me. And hopefully that will open up more opportunities going forward again,
“The idea of being a very strong defensive player is obviously something I’m very proud of.
“But to really push hard in how I play going forward, and suiting an attacking team is definitely something I want to keep working on and pushing.
“It’s something I’ve been working on this year and it’s come to fruition in a few games. It’s something I keep driving and trying to get better at.”
CUP FEVER
And Connors is optimistic that selection can turn his way again for the final against Toulouse on May 25 when a six-two bench split is more likely.
He is hoping to press his claims by lining out against Ospreys at the RDS on Saturday.
He said: “Nobody’s place on the team is ever cemented down and that’s the beauty of this squad.
“We have within each position so much strength in depth, everyone is pushing each other and there are no guarantees any week.
“And that’s why in the next two weeks of the URC, it’s important that you take every chance you get and put your best foot forward. Because everyone wants to be on that plane to London.
“With the six-two split, as a forward you’re always pushing at that. But you can also leave yourself skinny in the backs if God forbid, there are injuries in the backs.
“That sometimes happens and you do get caught. But, if you look at all the athletes in our team, I don’t know if I’d fit the wing very nicely but we’ll see. Maybe some day!”