Every player once had a player he or she once looked up to.
Leinster players Ian Madigan, Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden were at Old Wesley Rugby Club, this week, to promote a series of summer camps run by the province.
As part of the promotional drive, young Leinster fans had the opportunity to pose with their heroes, get autographs and some tips on the game.
SportsJOE took the opportunity to ask a couple of the lads about their rugby heroes, growing up.
Fergus McFadden
Currently undergoing return-to-play-protocols after a concussion, last weekend, against Bath, McFadden’s hero was a star of the 1995 World Cup. He commented:
‘I lived abroad for a few years and I met Chester Williams, who played for South Africa. He gave me his autograph. I would have been getting into rugby at that stage and he was one of their better backs and wingers. Meeting him was pretty cool. It was in Tanzania [when I was 11]. He happened to be over there for a Sevens tour. Nice guy.’
Ian Madigan
The versatile back, who should start at inside centre for Leinster, against Dragons, this weekend, had a fitting role model.
‘I was lucky enough to watch Isa as a supporter… He epitomises exactly the culture we want in Leinster. He is the consummate professional, who goes out of his way to help the younger fellas in the team while, when playing at the top level, in the Heineken Cup, it always seemed to bring out the best in him.’
Madigan was also a fan of this guy as a schools player with Blackrock College:
