Connacht’s Mr Versatility is happy as Harry

Ballina native Harry West has shown a good run of form this season for Connacht, playing across multiple positions under head coach Stuart Lancaster.

The 22-year-old started at full back against Munster in Thomond Park and was sprung from the bench against Ospreys, Black Lion and Leinster. Then he got a phone call from Stuart ahead of the EPCR Challenge Cup group clash away to Montpellier to see if he would be happy to start in a new position, at outside centre, which would mean the young player would don the 13 shirt for the first time. He jumped at it and it proved to be a position where the Mayo native began to thrive.

“I started the year as a full-back and then through injury I sort of ended up on the wing and then in training we learned to be able to play every position. So the Sunday of the Montpellier week, Stuart rang me up and just said would you like to play 13 and there was no complaints. I was just delighted to put the Connacht jersey on.

“That game went okay and then the game after that, Montauban, went okay again and then the big test was against Leinster. Although the result didn't go our way, I felt there was a lot of learning from it so yeah, I've been really enjoying it and long may it continue.” 

Having never played in the 13 shirt before, Harry was delighted to have the experience of Cathal Forde and Bundee Aki, the British and Irish Lion and Ireland international, to help him in his new challenge.

“I never would have played there. I would have played 10 growing up, moved to 15, played a tiny bit of 12 in school, but no, never 13. It was nice new experience, new challenge.

“I played with Bundee a few times. The two of them are just workhorses, really. You can rely on them so much.

“They just go to the well every game, so it's a privilege. It's great to play with them. And you know they're going to give it 100 percent every time.” 

Harry West was part of the historic first game in front of the new Clan Stand and although Leinster spoiled the party with a 34-23 win, it was an emotional and exciting occasion for all the players involved. He himself marked the occasion with a try.

“It was actually incredible. It was the best feeling I've had in my life really. My whole family were there, a load of my mates were there. And, I remember even chatting to a few lads after the game, like Jack Carty, Blady [Caolin Blade], Shane Jennings, Cathal Ford, and just asking them, did they nearly feel emotional before the game and they all agreed with me.

“I remember in the changing room before. I was nearly getting emotional, like wow, I've come here for 15 years supporting Connacht and we've come so far. So it was a great experience.” 

Harry’s family, his dad and uncle in particular, are steeped in Ballina Rugby Club. He started out playing with the club, moving to school at King’s Hospital in Dublin but returning to St Muredach’s for Transition Year where he won the Connacht ‘B’ competition alongside his friends.

“That was a great experience, and I'm very close with the lads at home still,” says Harry whose dad played an important role in his career, coaching him the whole way through his time in Ballina.

“He would have kind of come to all my games. And even after a game, he'd be totally honest with me about how I played.

“It was just great having him as a support the whole way up, so he'd definitely be the biggest influence in my rugby career.

“I suppose he always just said, go out and enjoy it. Never ever put pressure on me to do extra gym, extra kicking. I felt like that came from me, but he always just had a great outlook on life and would have just told me to enjoy my rugby, and I feel with that comes hard work and more success.” 

Harry also played a lot of Gaelic football with Ballina Stephenites growing up and as a 17-year-old actually won a senior cap for the Stephenites before his first cap with Ballina’s rugby team. He sees the benefit of having the skillset of the two sports: gaelic football skills are very transferrable to rugby and with the new positional changes and kicking rules, West is using them to his advantage.

“I’ve definitely noticed it most this year with all the positional changes. I feel if you've played Gaelic and soccer and all that sort of growing up, it's more natural to be a footballer really and you can play any position.

“I think with the recent rule change as well, it’s a real aerial contest, just one v one at the moment, so, a lot of players are just going up kind of Gaelic side at the moment. So, yeah, I feel like that it would be a huge benefit.” 

Harry, despite some recent injury trouble, is really enjoying his rugby with Connacht and does not take it for granted every time he gets to wear the green jersey.

“I know how privileged I am to put on the jersey. Coming through Ballina and all my mates being big rugby fans and stuff, you can never really take for granted. It's just really enjoyable.”