Young Gun: Kieran Low – London Irish lock

Kieran Low credits forwards coach Glenn Delaney for turning him into the Exiles’ commander-in-chief at the lineout.
The work of New Zealander Delaney, who came in from Nottingham in the summer, is slowly coming to fruition.
In Low’s case, a fledgling career beset by injuries is now flourishing – so much so that the 21-year-old 6ft 6in enforcer was responsible for calling the lineout in the Exiles’ Amlin Challenge Cup victory over Mont-de-Marsan last week.
That was his 13th appearance of the season as he formed a formidable engine room partnership with Matt Garvey and has continued his development this term despite Irish’s struggles.
It will come as little surprise to those who saw Low’s performances for England U20s in their Grand Slam winning 2011 campaign, only for injury to rule him out of that year’s Junior World Championship where Joe Launchbury took over.
An ankle ligament problem kept him sidelined for most of last year but London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith offered him a two-year deal this week and tipped him to be vying Launchbury for international honours in the near future.
And Low admits forwards coach Delaney must take most of the credit.
He said: “It was a real honour to call the lineout against Mont-de-Marsan and to help the team to a victory in France.
“It’s been a difficult time for me with injuries and I felt like I missed out quite a lot when I was on the sidelines so it’s great to be back and to be getting my chance on the pitch.
“Glenn has been fantastic for me and I’ve been getting on very well with him and been learning a huge amount and to be rewarded with calling the lineout was very pleasing.
“I didn’t know him before last summer but we just seemed to hit it off and he’s been very important in terms of my development this season.
“I’ve had plenty of time on the bench but at my age you want game time and being out there on the field. Now I want to take that to the Premiership.
“I came through the England age-group ranks with people like Owen Farrell, Joe Launchbury and Jonathan Joseph and watching them make the step up makes me think that I could do the same.
“But first of all I need to concentrate on progressing with Irish and taking my chance when it comes. I’m pleased with my form, especially after difficult times with injuries, and so long may it continue.”
It is no coincidence that Low is getting more of a chance with the Exiles the season after second row stalwarts Nick Kennedy and Bob Casey left the club – the former to France, the latter retiring.
And Low is the first to admit he has been spoilt by his tutors, claiming playing in a struggling side is not necessarily hindering his progress.
“In a way I think it helps that, as a young player,  I’ve been coming into a team that has been struggling,” added Low, who was brought to Irish by then academy manager Neal Hatley in 2009, after impressing at Chichester.
“I think that pressure helps, it makes you learn fast and adapt quickly to the environment.
“And I’ve a had a load of great second rows to learn from, Kendo is just one who’s been a great influence on me. You try and take things from all of them.”