Hugo Keenan not lacking perspective on injury struggles

Michael Bolton

For the first few years of Hugo Keenan's career, it felt like the 15 jersey with Ireland and Leinster was glued to his back.

The full-back stayed injury-free in his breakout season in 2020 and was constantly available in the run-up to the 2023 World Cup.

However, the 29-year-old has not played yet this season.

Keenan underwent hip surgery following an injury picked up during the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia.

While Keenan is targeting a return from injury in the Six Nations, he knows all too well how lucky he is to see light at the end of the tunnel.

"I was with them over the weekend, Conor O'Brien and even Rowan Osborne. Two lads I came up in the system with, who both had to retire through injury.

"My thoughts go out to the likes of Dan Leavy and stuff. So it gives you a bit of perspective that it's only five months. It's still a big season to come, still plenty of rugby to be played for.

"I got to do it on my terms as well, which was also a good way to do it. choosing a time to take a bit of time and get the body right for the next couple of years down the pipeline, and make sure I'm in good standing to have another couple of years and kick on from this point. Use it as a positive, really.”

The time off the pitch has made the Leinster full-back think about life after rugby, and has started putting down preparations for life after the sport.

"I moved into and one up a new house. Looking at life post rugby, met new people, trying to think about what I can do in these next few years to tee me up well.

"I have done my commerce degree, my accountancy exams. Done a little bit of work experience here and there.

"Life as a rehaber, it is nearly longer days. You have got double sessions, you have got rehab, you have your gum time, whether it is upper or lower body.

"The one benefit of it all is you tend to have your weekends off, or some of them anyway, which brings a bit of normality to life."

When Keenan comes back, he will have to hit the ground running, with France in the Stade de France first up.

The Connacht game has come too soon for Keenan this weekend, while Leinster's clash against Edinburgh on January 31st could see him feature.

Keenan's teammates have had to come back from injuries straight into blockbuster games and have linked in with them during his recovery.

“I’m going to try and maybe take the mentality and look at the likes of Caelan [Doris], who was out with a shoulder injury, who missed the summer, but was training hard. And who’s been keeping his mind in rugby, doing a lot of training like I’ve been doing over the last couple of months.

"Yeah, it’d be great to get a game in before you’re thrown into a Six Nations game, but whether I’ll have that luxury, I’m not 100 per cent sure.

“If I miss those opportunities, it’s about showing through training, your coaches, the medical staff where you’re at. Because it [training] can be as competitive as a game. It can be as physically demanding as a game.

“That’s the backup plan. If I don’t get back with Leinster, there’s always sort of training matches or that competitive 15-on-15 stuff.”