Cheika Champions Dempsey

Ireland full-back Girvan Dempsey

Despite Leinster’s loss, Girvan Dempsey hit the ground running last week in Swansea and the province’s new coach Michael Cheika was delighted with the Ireland full-back’s strong showing.

Cheika’s men lost their Celtic League opener 22-20 – an 83rd-minute penalty from Ospreys fly-half Matthew Jones denying them a prized win against the reigning champions. Only a few minute earlier, Dempsey had created Leinster’s only try of the evening for debutant winger Rob Kearney – it wasn’t a match-winner but Cheika noted his number 15’s central role to the score.

It was a confidence-building start to the season for the 29-year-old Dempsey, who, according to Cheika, has “really started to express himself” in an attacking sense.

“Girvan was excellent against the Ospreys – the pick of the team. He ran on to the ball nicely and his kicking game was top class,” said the Australian coach at yesterday’s Leinster press conference.

“I think he has really enjoyed pre-season. We’ve done a lot of work with the back three. Girvan was in position a hell of a lot in relation to his support play.

“Look at the beautiful play he made to set up a try for Robert Kearney at the death. He realised he had a mismatch in front of him. That’s pretty good thinking in the 80th-minute.

“He saw the player in front of him was a slower man. He took him on the outside and went on to create the try.”

Cheika surmised: “Girvan’s got all the skills, he can join the line from the back, his kicking game is excellent. Overall, I’ve been very happy with everything he’s done so far.”