RUGBY INTERVIEW WITH DARREN CAVE:The Ulster centre has the pace, skills and intelligence to make a huge mark, writes John O'Sullivan

DARREN CAVE'S performances for Ulster this season in the Heineken Cup and Magners League confirm a prodigious young talent is beginning to blossom at senior level. He would be the first to insist he is far from the finished product, but there are enough snapshots of quality to compile a decent highlights reel for consideration.

Last March, the 21-year-old was handed a senior contract with Ulster, based on potential; the next time he signs on the dotted line it will probably reflect a transformation from precocious tyro to future senior international.

There was evidence in the recent matches against Stade Français and Munster that Cave is becoming more comfortable with the demands placed on him.

The striking rapport with Paddy Wallace in the Ulster midfield has offered a great deal more potency and footballing skill without any diminution of defensive duties.

Cave had initially "hoped to start five or six matches this season", but, unless injury intervenes, that script is likely to be shredded.

His accession to the senior ranks is hardly surprising given his underage pedigree; he represented Ulster and Ireland at schools, under-19, under-20, under-21 and A grades. He's also played Sevens for Ireland.

The fine print of those achievements is even more compelling. He played for the Ireland Under-19 side as a 17-year-old and for the national under-21 side at 18. It was at Ireland under-20 grade that he enjoyed most success; he was part of the team that won a Grand Slam during the 2007 Six Nations Championship.

Cave was chosen in his preferred position of outside centre while Munster's Keith Earl was accommodated on the left wing.

The two are good friends. Cave explained: "We manage to catch up with each other on the phone from time to time and would be friends from playing with and against each other over the years.

"Keith has done brilliantly to break into the Munster team but then I'm not surprised. I've had first-hand experience of his talent and there is no doubt that he can take it to Test level.

"I do draw confidence from what he has achieved but also from the impact of players like Cian Healy, Seán O'Brien, Ian Keatley, Thomas Anderson and David Pollack, among others, who have already come through from that team."

At the behest of his father Cave began his rugby career as a six-year-old in the local Holywood club before playing at Sullivan Upper School, where he bumped into another gifted young sportsman, golfer Rory McIlroy.

"Rory is a few years younger than I am but we would have played a wee bit of golf in the same club. Mind you not that much considering our vastly different ability levels and the fact that he was off winning some underage world championship or another."

A recreational golfer, Cave confesses to being "too lazy" to play much these days. "I am a brilliant golfer on the X-box," he laughs.

"When you play rugby, you're warned off other sports that will compromise conditioning."

He played a bit of cricket and enjoys watching soccer - he's a Blackburn Rovers fan, a legacy of their Premiership win - but his preoccupation is rugby. He helped Ireland qualify for the Sevens World Cup that takes place in Dubai next year but whether he makes that squad is open to debate.

The fact he has won a starting place on the Ulster team guarantees they won't permit him to disappear on the Sevens circuit, because he is now too important. That decision is for others; he just wants to play.

"I just want to get consistent game time and continue to learn.

"Paddy (Wallace) has been instrumental in helping me develop through encouragement and making space for me. Matches like the Stade Français one make you aware of what's it's like to come up against world-class players like Juan Martín Hernández and Sergio Parisse.

"I had certain goals at the start of the season but those have changed. I know I still have a lot to learn but to do that I need to be playing on a consistent basis.

"At the same time you have to be realistic. At the start of the season I thought I would be back-up to Andrew Trimble at outside centre. Circumstances changed and I'm grateful for the opportunity I've been given.

"After that it's up to me. The only way I can influence selection, for no matter what team, is the way I play on the pitch.

"I want to get better and see where that takes me."

A beautifully balanced runner with pace and a natural appreciation of intelligent running lines, Cave has the aptitude to progress further. The timeframe is the primary matter for debate.