Kearney Seeing A Big Future For Bouyant Ireland Ahead Of Six Nations

With 72 Ireland caps, three Six Nations titles and two tours with the British Lions already on his career CV, Rob Kearney is used to being part of successful rugby sides.
But when the Leinster ace is asked to sum up his country's most recent autumn campaign, the full-back takes a moment to pause for thought. 
Given the historic nature of what Ireland achieved over the last month - a first ever win over New Zealand and a gritty series-ending victory over Australia - the 30-year-old chooses his words wisely.
Taking a short look at his CV, Rob Kearney is used to being part of successful rugby sides
Ireland have enjoyed historic success in this Autumn, beating New Zealand and Australia
'It has to be considered a successful autumn for us,' Kearney told Sportsmail, in what has to be considered something of a significant understatement.

Successful is one way of putting it.

After bringing an end to the All Blacks' 18-match unbeaten run with a thrilling 40-29 success in Chicago, Ireland backed up that result with wins against Canada and the Wallabies. 
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A rematch with Steve Hansen's outfit in Dublin saw the world's No 1 side come out on top, but that failed to put a dampener on what Ireland had achieved.
Schmidt's men played with tenacity, intensity and no little courage as they defied the loss of a number of senior key players - Kearney among them - to not only compete with the game's best but overcome them too.

For Irish supporters, it all points to a promising 2017.
Kearney was impressed with the way Ireland's younger players stepped up against Australia
'Beating the All Blacks is something an Irish team hadn't achieved so that was a massive boost,' Kearney expanded.

'We were actually disappointed with our performance in the second game with New Zealand in Dublin but we bounced back well against Australia.
'To beat the Wallabies with so many men out injured showed the quality of the squad.
It was great for everyone involved.'
A third-place finish in the 2016 Six Nations was the start of Schmidt's Ireland rebuild, a Test win in South Africa last summer showing further signs of promise.
But this autumn the Kiwi coach and his team have taken things up a notch, the victory over Australia moving them up to fourth in World Rugby's rankings.
Kearney was disappointed with the performance in the Dubln game with New Zealand
Schmidt's decision to throw young players Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier into the cauldron of Test rugby has paid off too, their ability to thrive with the likes of Kearney, Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahoney absent painting a positive picture for the future.
'The young guys have delivered new energy to the group and they've given the older players a kick up the backside too,' said Kearney, an ambassador for Optimum Nutrition.
'They've delivered new competition in the back line and we've now got plenty of international class there and lots of options.

It's been a really good environment in camp in the last few weeks. We're not getting carried away though and we know the competition in the Six Nations is outstanding.'

So what of the Six Nations? The autumn bonanza has got Irish pulses racing for 2017 and while Kearney admits his team are making real strides, he's wary of the threat posed by an England side who remain unbeaten under Eddie Jones.
'I think the gap has closed on the southern hemisphere,' he said.
The full-back thinks the Six Nations sides have closed the gap on the Southern Hemisphere
'The sides from the north would have been pretty disappointed with the World Cup and the pressure has been on to start performing.

I think the summer tours went well for the majority of teams and the autumn has been the next step.
'England are a very good team and they've been playing some outstanding rugby. Their results speak for themselves and they're rightly favourites to win. Wales can be a big danger on any given day, Scotland are improving all the time and France pushed the All Blacks really close.
'Then you've got Italy who beat South Africa.

There is so much strength and there can be very little between finishing first or fourth or fifth.'
The 2017 Six Nations - the first to be played with the new bonus points system - and this summer's Lions tour to New Zealand www.cruisewhat.com remain on the horizon, but for Kearney there are more pressing worries.
Kearney will be vital for Joe Schmidt come what promises to be an entertaining Six Nations
After being forced off early on in the 27-24 victory over Australia, Kearney is undergoing return to play protocols after suffering the effects of delayed concussion. He hopes to be back in contention for Leinster's vital Champions Cup trip to Northampton.
So outstanding were his performances this autumn when he was fit that Schmidt will want Kearney back as soon as possible.

After all, a big 12 months awaits.
'These days there is a lot of talk about concussion and it's best to play it safe with head injuries,' Kearney said. 'The doctors thought it was best I didn't come back.
'The Lions is not something I've thought off too much.
I've been lucky to go on two tours so I'm aware of the build-up and all the hype that surrounds it. But last year I didn't play many games so this time I'm just focusing on playing as many matches as possible.'
  * Rob Kearney is an ambassador for Optimum Nutrition, the world's leading trusted sports nutrition partner.

Optimum Nutrition has been setting the Gold Standard for more than 30 years, providing quality products for everyone from everyday g



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