Interview with Gavin HickieJohn O'Sullivan finds the hooker packing down well at Leicester
Gavin Hickie's days as a rugby nomad appear at an end following his decision to sign a two-year contract with Leicester Tigers. It signals the culmination of a 24-month period that underlined the potential fragility of a professional career in sport. There was certainly very little romantic lyricism about his life during that period.
In the summer of 2004, coach Declan Kidney informed the hooker his contract with Leinster would not be renewed. Hickie was bitterly disappointed but understood that his opinion wasn't the one that mattered.
To make matters worse, there was no immediate clamour for his services. He got a two-week trial at Wasps and a three-month tenure at London Irish before Worcester offered him a more permanent foothold in the game.
He played a full season with the latter, and a further two-year deal awaited his signature before Leicester came calling.
Having established that selection would be form-based, Hickie didn't hesitate in relocating to Welford Road. He hasn't looked back.
A surprise for some is that he is just 26 years of age - he seems to have been around longer. He broke into the Leinster senior team in 2001, playing 46 times, mostly sprung from the bench as understudy to Shane Byrne.
Indeed Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill joked he double-checked Hickie's birth cert because the two had met in a Heineken European Cup match in the Irish hooker's debut season with Leinster.
Hickie, a son of former Ireland number eight Denis and cousin of Ireland wing Denis, played for Ireland at under-19, under-21, sevens and A level and is now part of an eight-strong Irish contingent at Welford Road, the Celtic Tigers.
He played half a match against Stade Francaise on the club's recent tour of France and is competing with England senior international George Chuter and England A hooker James Buckland for his place. He's been invigorated by the challenge.
"I love it here, it's a dream come true. Leaving Leinster was a wrench and it was a worrying time immediately afterwards but in some respects these things make you stronger. Maybe things had been going a little stale and I needed a new challenge.
"I'm not a local boy playing for my local team anymore, as was the case with Leinster. I'm just a player competing for a place. I always wanted to experience playing rugby abroad . . . but obviously thought it would be my decision and not out of necessity. I've been very fortunate.
"The only assurance I sought was that the (Leicester) team would be picked on form and that's the way it will be. After that it's up to me."
Not every frontrow forward would relish sevens but Hickie enjoys the abbreviated code.
He is in a Leicester squad for this weekend's Middlesex Sevens that includes compatriots Frank Murphy and Ian Humphreys. It is an opportunity to showcase his athleticism and ball skills.
Hickie would of course love to emulate his father and win a senior Irish cap: "Like every rugby player you dream of playing for your country and I haven't given up on that but the priority is to be a success at Leicester. You have to crawl before you can walk and getting game time here will be difficult."
Hickie's career has reached a new starting point. At Leicester reputations count for nothing. It's old school. Hickie should prove a willing pupil.
