Leinster vs Racing 92

Cullen also said Jamie’s younger brother
was looking like “a very good prospect”.
The family remain actively involved in the
club, with father Joe getting the Osborne
boys hooked on the game.
“He played club rugby with Bective, but
never played to the highest of levels. He
got us into it, but we also loved playing
gaelic football. Andrew played soccer
too.
“It was rugby and gaelic football until I
was 16. Rugby was always my number
one. It was great playing both sports.
“My school Naas CBS would have
been a big GAA school when I was
there. They are the current All-Ireland
champions. Rugby wouldn’t be too big
there.
“When Andrew was in Third Year, the
school made the Junior Cup Quarter-
Final, so it’s growing in the school.
Osborne’s path to Leinster saw him play
for Naas, before moving on to North
Midlands in the Shane Horgan Cup.
It was from there he caught the eye of
Leinster selectors, earning a place in the
Under-18 Club team.
When I played in the Shane Horgan
Cup, I only thought about getting to
the next stage. After Under-19s - you’re
looking at guys going into the Sub-
Academy, and thinking; ‘hopefully that’s
me next year’.
“Once you get through the Leinster
Under-20s, you believe you have a
chance of making it and giving yourself
a shot.
“Leinster have done a great job around
the province, to let any players show
what they are capable of. Hopefully
there will be more players coming
through that pathway in the next five to
ten years.”
Osborne lives in a house of nine - with
all his housemates also being work
colleagues. Despite that, he says the
arrangement works well.
“We have lads like Max [Deegan],
Marty [Moloney], Brian [Deeny] in the
house and some like Temi [Lasisi] and
Sam [Prendergast] in the Academy.
There’s plenty of us!
Leinster have done a
great job around the
province, to let any
players show what
they are capable of.
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