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Opinion: Toner must make mark with final chance

Marginalised by Brad Thorn and his own unique physiology, Devin Toner can still become a dominant force in Leinster’s engine room.

TODAY’S RABODIRECT PRO12 final has plenty at stake.

Leinster are seeking to build their ‘legacy’ by winning a unique double.

The Ospreys want to mark the end of an era by repeating their 2010 performance, a Magners crown which proved to be their pinnacle.

Devin Toner, though, must see even more incentive than most.

The enormous second row has been forced to play second fiddle in the latter quarter of the season following the arrival of World Cup winner, Brad Thorn.

Last week, skills coach, Richie Murphy revealed that the Heineken Cup champions will once again be looking to sign a number five next season, possibly even Thorn.

Toner must have grounds for concern.

“We’ve been happy with Dev, to be honest.” says Joe Schmidt, “Dev’s played more game-time than any other forward in the squad this year.”

He has come on leaps and bounds in this Pro12 table-topping season and many believe his all-round game has been marginally better than that provided by the grizzly old Kiwi.

But there is a problem, the double edged sword. The attribute which marks Toner out as a potentially world class lock – being close to seven foot tall – also holds him back from being a powerful athletic presence, as Schmidt says:

“He’s quite a long man, Dev, and he does drop condition quite quickly if he is played too often. So we tried to look after him a little bit over the last while, but he has come on and played some really good cameos for us and played some really good games.”

With Paul O’Connell a major doubt ahead of Ireland’ trip to New Zealand, Toner may yet be a late call up to fill the ‘AN Other‘ spot in Declan Kidney’s squad. A big performance against Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans would make him difficult to ignore. He has earned a place alongside Leo Cullen today, but it is his skipper who stands first in line should O’Connell be ruled out.

Short sharp tours at international level could well bring the best out of Toner. Schmidt’s words cast some doubt over the Meath man’s ability to stay strong for weekly battles over a long season.

Muscle mass

“He’s worked really hard.” enthused the Kiwi coach, “One of the things we found was that he started last season really well. Then he dropped about three or four kilos of muscle mass and just didn’t quite have the same impact.

“We’ve worked really hard on getting that muscle mass back to where we think he can contribute at his best. We’re pretty happy with his condition, he is deserving of his position.”

However, second row is a position which allows players great longevity and, at 25, Toner’s body will thicken as he gets closer to 30.

Next season he will start from a bulkier base and could yet have a decade of rugby ahead of him.

But it all starts at the RDS.

Pro12 final: three key battles that will decide Leinster v Ospreys

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