Ex-Ireland fly-half makes big claim over the ‘fittest rugby player in the world’ after remarkable Six Nations effort
Ireland star Hugo Keenan has been praised by former fly-half Ian Madigan.
Former Ireland international Ian Madigan believes that the work of Hugo Keenan has played a huge role in James Lowe’s superb start to the Six Nations.
The 32-year-old wing has been a standout player for Ireland in the opening two rounds of the 2025 Championship, helping them to victories over England and Scotland.
Simon Easterby’s men are on course for a Grand Slam following those two triumphs with Lowe central to the wins in Dublin and Edinburgh.
He set up three tries against the Red Rose before scoring one himself as they defeated Scotland 32-18 at Murrayfield.
Lowe up to speed quickly
Lowe had only played once in the build-up to the Six Nations after suffering an injury at the end of the Autumn Nations Series in November, but he has got up to speed very quickly.
And Madigan duly reckons that some of that is down to the work of Keenan. Although the full-back hasn’t received the same amount of plaudits as his back three colleague, the former playmaker insists that the 28-year-old has been vital to his Ireland team-mate’s form.
“I think he’s the fittest rugby player in the world, the ground he covers,” he told the Irish Independent’s The Rugby Show.
“It’s one thing saying he doesn’t let the ball bounce in the backfield but he’s also covering James Lowe.
“He’s keeping James Lowe fresh so when the ball does come to Lowey, he can make these big explosive efforts and beat guys one-on-one.
“If he’s running up and down the channel like a wing-back covering kick space and then he gets his hands on the ball, he’s not going to be fresh and we’re not going to see these big efforts.”
Madigan also praised the on-field relationship between Lowe and Keenan, stating that “they dovetail particularly well” and “play to each other’s strengths.”
That was perfectly demonstrated by Ireland’s victory over Scotland as they covered all the back three bases on Sunday.
Keenan’s remarkable effort
One of the highlights in the win at Murrayfield was Jack Conan’s try which was expertly set up by Keenan when he incredibly latched on to Jamison Gibson-Park’s superb kick.
It happened at the end of the third quarter and Madigan felt it demonstrated the extent of the full-back’s fitness.
“When you’re fit, you have a clear core process. If you’re not fit, you’re out of breath, you’re not going to be able to communicate,” he said.
“The chip that comes from Gibson-Park, Keenan spots that space. It’s one thing spotting it, it’s another thing feeling like you’ve got the energy in your legs to chase after it.
“He gives Gibson-Park the shout and then it’s an explosive effort to outstrip [Blair] Kinghorn on the chase back. That is fitness and it results in scoreboard points.”
