Jordan Larmour’s brilliant footwork and try-scoring ability has made him one of the most exciting prospects in Irish rugby.
In his final year at St Andrew’s College, Larmour — who was the star of the school’s senior team — was invited to play for a Blackrock College President’s XV against a touring side from New Zealand.
Joe Schmidt was in attendance for the game and was immediately impressed with Larmour, who wore the number 13 jersey.
Within a couple of months, Schmidt invited Larmour to train with the Ireland squad ahead of their 2016 November series which, of course, included that famous victory over the All Blacks in Chicago.
Now 21, Larmour has established himself in Schmidt’s Ireland side having made his debut in February in the Six Nations win over Italy.
While Larmour’s meteoric rise is as much down to his work ethic as it is his talent, Ireland and Leinster centre Fergus McFadden told Nathan on Off The Ball that Larmour was special from a young age.
“When he first came up to training as a 19-year-old, he was ready to go straight into the team then. When I first came out of school and started training with Leinster, I knew I had the ability, but I was a bit intimidated and I didn’t have the self-confidence at that stage.
“There’s a few younger guys who have come through lately have a certain confidence where they just come in and don’t think twice about it.
“Jordan was ready-made when he came out of school and you don’t normally see that,” said McFadden.
Larmour will start tonight’s game against the All-Blacks from the bench having been replaced in the starting XV by Rob Kearney.
By Stephen Larkin
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