Scrum-half faces big challenge to secure starting spot

Hugh O'Sullivan is continuing his quest to nail down a regular place in the Leinster team after he helped the Blues to a resounding 52-25 victory over the Scarlets at the Parc Y Scarlets last night in the PRO 14.

The Meath scrum-half has found it difficult to get a foothold on the team in recent times but he at least got a chance to make a contribution to Leinster's big win over the Welsh side.

O'Sullivan came on as a replacement after 71 minutes for Luke McGrath but by that stage the game was all but over.

The young Meath man's career in senior rugby is a salutary tale of just how difficult it can be to make an impact in senior professional rugby especially in an environment like Leinster where there is a large number of players vying for the same position.

Hugh, a brother of Meath footballer Cillian O'Sullivan, is competiting with internationals McGrath and Jamison Gibson-Park for the number nine shirt while there are others emerging through the Academy.

O'Sullivan who is from Kiltale, played his schools rugby for Belvedere. He indicated he was one of the best young, emerging scrum-halves in the country in the way he represented Ireland u-20s in the 2018 Six Nations however another big step forward is required if he is to become a regular with Leinster.

O'Sullivan made his senior competitive debut for Leinster against the Newport Gwent Dragons in 2018 in a team that included Johnny Sexton, Rob Kearney and Gary Ringrose.

He has made close to 30 appearances and at the start of the 2019/20 season he was given a senior contract however he has found it difficult to secure a regular starting place on a team where places are hard to secure.

Tadhg Furlong made his return to competitive action for Leinster against the Scarlets last night putting himself in the frame to start for Ireland in the Six Nations.

The Leinster tryscorers against the Scarlets included Dan Leavy, James Tracy, Max O'Reilly, Cian Kelleher and David Hawkshaw. Kicker Harry Byrne scored from seven conversions and one penalty. There was also a penalty try awarded to Leinster.

Conspicious by his absence on the Leinster side was Devin Toner who has now missed out on a number of games.