Rob Kearney is accumulating a portfolio of responsibilities that includes a new role as chairman of Irupa and another as one of two trusted lieutenants – Seán O’Brien is the other – to Leinster’s recently appointed captain Jamie Heaslip.

The 28-year-old Lions, Leinster and Ireland fullback, Kearney is engaged by his new remit. Player welfare is an important consideration at all levels of professional sport but particularly in the less well-paid echelons.

Kearney explained: “It is not so much your top 10 to 15 guys, who are earning the good money, getting well looked after it is more the academies, the development players, making sure that they are getting well treated and that there are lots of options for them so that when the time comes for them to leave rugby they are able to make that transition.

‘Enjoying it ’

Speaking of fledgling professionals there was much to admire in the manner in which a young Leinster side recovered from a tough first half to cause more than a few problems for Northampton Saints in last weekend’s pre-season friendly at Franklin’s Gardens.

The province contained a host of academy players and a number of club players alongside a smattering of experience.

Kearney sees Leinster’s next generation wunderkinds on a daily basis: “Just sitting back, watching training, it fills you with a huge sense of excitement, relief and a fair bit of pride too at what the province has created over the last number of years.

“The strength and depth in these young guys coming through is incredible. It is by far the best it’s ever been.

“That competition has become more and more competitive. Even this year now when there will probably be a lot of international players away, you’re going to see new names in the team.

“That will be a great sign but you can’t really properly judge guys until they get to that top level and are exposed to the Guinness (Pro12) or European Championship.”

Kearney’s season won’t begin for another two to three weeks by his reckoning. In the interim he’ll be there to encourage young fullbacks like Billy Dardis and Cian Kelleher.

“We’re in the process of putting together a sort of mentoring programme. You have to be very careful how you do it because it’s very important that we’re not creating a hierarchy in the organisation.

“With the younger guys like Billy and Cian, for the organisation to be successful we need them to feel as if they (are ready to) compete and play in the first team. So if they’re coming to guys who are on the first team and looking for advice and mentoring, it sort of might alleviate that a little bit.

Mentoring

“I think I was really lucky when I came through. Denis (Hickie) got an injury in training one day and I was next in, whereas nowadays the 19- and 20-year-olds have to serve their time a little bit and wait.

“You might get one opportunity and if you don’t take it then you’re back to the back of the queue.”

Fellow vice-captain O’Brien is also encouraged by the depth in quality: “Yeah it’s very exciting. I said a couple of weeks ago as well that you look at these young lads coming through and they’re so well prepared and conditioned and every year they are developing, so I’ve no fear of what’s behind and coming up after us, that they can mix it with anybody.

“Northampton had a full team last week and we had much of an academy/development side out with a couple of experienced players, but still at the same time looking back at bits and bobs on the video during the week, physically we were there and we played some nice rugby at times.

“It’s exciting to know we have that there. We’ve seen in previous years in the Six Nations you need that quality and need that depth when internationals are away to make sure you’re not leaving points behind and continuing to maintain momentum.”

O’Brien accepts himself, Kearney and the other senior players set standards and demand they are met by all comers. “We have to be ready to go every day, be the best we can for the younger lads coming up.

“If they see someone that they perceive to be a leader or a senior player in the squad not pulling his weight, it’s not great for them to be looking at that type of thing. Our standards have to be of a high quality every week.”

A good challenge for all concerned.