Rugby/Six Nations Championship: John O'Sullivan talks to Gordon D'Arcy who will make his first start for Ireland this Saturday
"Stick to the script, Darce." Malcolm O'Kelly ambles past a small knot of reporters, laughing as he takes in Gordon D'Arcy's new found celebrity status. On Tuesday the Leinster centre was named in the Ireland team to play France in the opening Six Nations Championship game at Stade de France on Saturday.
This will be D'Arcy's sixth cap but his first start. O'Kelly's badinage is striking for the simple reason that D'Arcy has never stuck to the script, favouring a more maverick approach, at least on the pitch. He's packed a great deal into his 24 years, known more than his fair share of heartache, some of which he'll admit to having been self inflicted.
He's had trouble conforming to the expectations of others. On the pitch he wanted to be a free spirit. He wasn't that keen on having his wings clipped on the other side of the whitewash either. A precocious talent from his schoolboy days, his youth and ability made him feel bulletproof. He wasn't.
Maturity, the tough love of his father John, who told him a few home truths, and the intervention of coaches such as Matt Williams and Gary Ella have ensured that D'Arcy's talent wasn't squandered. On Saturday he'll fill the boots of one of world rugby's most celebrated players in Brian O'Driscoll. Given the scope he won't suffer in comparison.
He is essentially modest - it wasn't always so as he'll freely admit - a quality highlighted when he was invited to trace his rugby pedigree that makes Boy's Own fare appear dull in comparison.
"In June 1998 invited on Ireland senior tour to South Africa. Still at school. Had to do my Leaving Cert and couldn't go. Started with Leinster in August, played European Cup and Interpros. Offered full Leinster contract after first round of European Cup. Played Ireland A in January '99. Injured, out for seven or eight months.
"Came back and played World Cup, then drifted off into obscurity for two or three years. Matt Williams came to Leinster and got my career back on line three years ago. Gary Ella arrived this year and he's developed me as a player. That's five Irish caps in total, all as replacement. Wing and centre, none at full back."
The potted history is delivered in a monotone, taking less than 60 seconds, devoid of any pride or self-pity. It's almost as if it's regarded as baggage or a millstone. D'Arcy craves a clean slate that starts this Saturday in Paris.
First though he must explain this obscurity lark and why such a burgeoning talent disappeared from the representative radar. "As a 20-year-old I got too much too soon." His redemption? "A couple of swift kicks from certain coaches. Matt Williams told me that I had three months to prove that I was worth keeping as a player. That was in February 2000. I needed that kick up the ass. I thought I was a better player than I was. I certainly wasn't proving it on the pitch."
He has endured the frustration of being on the periphery of Irish squads, making the extended version but when it was time for a reduction, he ended up on the cutting room floor. Not any more. "I suppose it's everything I have been working for in the last five years, to get a starting place in the Irish team."
A full back by inclination, he relishes the prospect of playing at outside centre, a role in which he has excelled for Leinster in the absence of O'Driscoll. "It's not about the number on your back. I couldn't care less where I play. It's rugby; catch it, kick it, run with it. It doesn't bother me. You could play me anywhere and I'd have a cut at it. It's a great compliment from Eddie (O'Sullivan) and Declan (Kidney) to ask me to step into the shoes of probably the best centre in the world."
It's inevitable that comparisons will be made with O'Driscoll given several similarities. D'Arcy smiles. "But I don't have blond hair. We're the same size, the same build and we're pretty good broken field runners, so I suppose the comparison is fair as far as it goes on that level. Everyone is fairly realistic about the fact that when Brian (O'Driscoll) comes back I'll be looking for a new job.
"A friend of mine said to me that when I play centre my head doesn't have time to wander. That suits me and keeps me concentrating the whole time."
He attributes his new-found status to a reduction in the number of howlers that would sneak into his game.
"The number of mistakes I make has come down. Eddie (O'Sullivan) has said to me 'you're a good player and I want you to keep doing the good things but cut down on the number of mistakes.' I would traditionally have done something pretty stupid in a game and I have had to cut that out."
He's been pretty much pitch perfect this season. If Stade de France bears witness to his full repertoire, then another Irishman in the number 13 jersey could take Paris by storm.
