Keatley On A Job Well Done

Munster out-half Ian Keatley reflects on a victorious 6 Nations debut that saw him score 14 of Ireland’s 26 point tally and settle into the game to exert a controlling influence over proceedings.

Ahead of his third Irish start – his first of the 6 Nations – the 27 year old was understandably nervous, but used his perpetual desire to play for Ireland as a source of both motivation and confidence.

“In the lead up, I was just thinking to myself that I remembered watching Ireland winning in France last year, and I just remembered how much at the time I wanted to be there. I was actually watching it on my own at home, and I really wanted to be out there.

“So whenever I got nervous this week I just reminded myself that this is where you want to be, so suck it up really. Nerves can be a positive or a negative in a match, everyone gets nervous because it means so much to you.

“I was pretty nervous at the start. I think that first [penalty] kick, I was just relieved it went over, but I'm just annoyed I had a bit of a shaky start, the first 10 minutes getting settled in.

“But then I felt I was getting into my rhythm and things went well from there. We knew they would put it up to us for the good majority of the match. We knew we would have to break them down and I think we did.

“And I can still iron out things in my performance, I'm sure I'll go through it with Joe and just look to improve. I can take a lot of confidence from this, but also I need to know where I want to get to.”

With Johnny Sexton passed fit to line out for Ireland against France at the Aviva next Saturday, the Racing Metro ‘10’ remains the bookies odds-on favourite to start at fly-half next weekend. While Keatley acknowledges this, he will take confidence from a job well done and can use Saturday’s experience, coupled with the challenge of Sexton, as a catalyst for progression.

“To be honest Johnny's done so well over the last three or four years he deserves the number one position. He's one of the best out-halves in the world, so to be honest I presume that he's going to be straight in there for the French match even though he hasn't played in a while.

“He's still been keeping fit and you need Johnny Sexton in your team. With the sub position I don't know what's going to happen there, I'm just delighted with the win today first and foremost.

“I know that Johnny is number one, but you can't just accept that. If you're looking to play second fiddle to someone the whole time you're not going to improve personally.

“So that's what I want to do, I want to keep improving and just keep challenging Johnny and hopefully play in more big games like this.”