The pathway to success. For some it's channelled from a trophy-laden underage career at club level. Others develop on foreign fields, while for most it's a passage honed at schools level.

Dominic Ryan was first introduced to the game in Gonzaga College, where he learned that hard knocks handled with the right attitude can shape a player's ability, irrespective of the opposition.

Though not one of the major players on the Leinster schools circuit, the secondary school located in the leafy Dublin 6 suburb of Ranelagh has seen an upturn in fortunes in recent years.

Though dwarfed by its Jesuit brothers, Belvedere College and Clongowes Wood College, amongst its graduates to the senior Leinster set-up since the turn of the century include the likes of scrum-half Brian O'Riordan, Ross McCarron and Ireland 'A' backrower Kevin McLaughlin.

Profile

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Ryan could soon be locking down with McLaughlin and if that day should pass, it would no doubt give the school the profile that it duly deserves.

Of course, it's not about the school or the area code when it comes to playing for Leinster; it's about the size of the heart of the man who wears the shirt. But developing a winning culture at some of the traditional school power-houses does breed success.

"I'm very proud to have begun my career in Gonzaga," the 19-year-old reflected in the aftermath of a starring role in the province's 16-13 victory over Plymouth Albion in the British & Irish Cup opener last weekend.

"You do develop a bit of a chip on your shoulder coming from a school that mightn't enjoy the same coverage as others and it can spur you on, but when you play, irrespective of the team you're playing on, it's about personal and collective pride.

"I remember playing Blackrock College in the Senior Cup first round back in 2007 and something like 14 of the players in their squad had been selected for either the Leinster U18 or U19 Schools sides. They were a top side and it was daunting, though we did well because we had the talent and because we believed in ourselves.

"We were well organised during my schooldays and I think we all owe a debt to the likes of Bobby Byrne and Declan Fassbender for their guidance and coaching over the years."

Highlights from his schooldays included the tour to South Africa, which was an eye-opening experience in the backdrop of one of the most demanding rugby climates on offer.

"To play in grounds like Newlands and the ABSA was a real thrill.

"Over three weeks we played five games and we trained hard with lots of fitness work. It was a great environment to be in.

"It was the longest period that I had spent away from home and though it was their winter, it was 19 degrees so you had to adapt to playing in those conditions."

It was a taste of things to come.

Having balanced his academic career (he's currently studying commerce in University College Dublin) with rugby, Ryan accepted an invitation from academy manager Colin McEntee to join the Leinster Academy last summer.

It was, he admits, a timely boost and he hasn't looked back since, having made a string of assured displays for Lansdowne.

Incidentally, Ryan was one of four former Gonzaga players to score in Lansdowne's most recent AIB League game, a 30-21 victory over Bective, alongside fellow Ireland U20 outside back Shane Gahan, Matthew Healy and former Leinster Academy graduate McCarron.

He continued his promising start to the season with an accomplished display in difficult conditions on the south-west coast of England, having made his Leinster 'A' debut last month against Munster.

Such is the exuberance of youth; he indicates that this evening's game against the Cornish Pirates can't come quick enough.

"Plymouth were an experienced side and I haven't played in conditions like that for a few years! It was very physical and though there are lots of tough games in the AIL, you face different challenges coming up against sides that are fully professional.

"I have only been playing as an openside flanker for the last two years so I'm learning every day from the coaches here. Things like reading the game and taking particular lines of running are important aspects that I want to work on, but with the calibre of players here like Jamie (Heaslip) and Jenno (Shane Jennings), just being around them motivates you.

"They're the benchmark. When you're under the eye of Michael Cheika and the other senior coaches you want to impress.

"The standard of training has been high in the build up to the Cornish Pirates game and we have to use last week as a base to push on from.

"My aim is to break into the Magners League squad and games like these are opportunities to stake a claim."

Growing up, he says that he wasn't motivated by the deeds of others, but over the last year two stars of Australian rugby have become icons.

"I really want to improve over the next 12 months. You can only be impressed by players like Rocky Elsom. What a player! Until I saw him last year I didn't really want to emulate any player, but what he achieved is incredible.

"David Pocock is another phenomenal player. His lines of running and his strength are unbelievable and he's only 22. I'm 19 now so I have three years to try to get to that level, which is the way that I see it.

"That's not to seem cocky because I know that I have a lot of work to do, but that's the aim."

As he says himself, that's the standard he is aiming for.

The rest is up to him.

- Peter Breen