Match fit: Michael Bent
Michael Bent could play in all three of Ireland's Tests after Declan Kidney described him as being "the most qualified in terms of being match-fit."
The New Zealander qualifies for Ireland through his maternal grandmother and has been training with the national side on Thursday and Friday.
He will then return to Leinster for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with the Ospreys on Sunday, but is set to feature in the national side in November.
"It's our job to assemble the best Irish-qualified group together," head coach Kidney told reporters.
"In fairness to Leinster, they did a lot of groundwork in finding him.
"With the game-time the rest of the tighthead props have around the place, he's probably one of the most qualified in terms of being match-fit."
Bent, who recently played for Taranaki in the ITM Cup, played five times for the Hurricanes this year. Ireland team manager Michael Kearney added that his Test debut isn't far away.
"He could play in one or two or all three games in November. It depends on what happens in the next week or two," he said.
"Declan (Fitzpatrick) has just returned from injury, and we are keeping our options open."
Comments
NHsaints says...
Mike Ross is still 40 times better but he's a solid enough replacement, no Buckley or Court (yes I know both are looseheads but Ireland don't really have many international class props).
Posted 11:01 01st November 2012
Norm says...
Tired of my own negative comments re Ireland lately so let me add to that last one, Irish rugby at a provincial level is in a great place and well done to all the provinces for that. That the IRFU have not been able to translate that into the national team is a shame, its not a mystery its just a shame. So I correct myself, Irish rugby is in a great place, the irish national set up is in a shambolic place.
Posted 10:59 01st November 2012
Melkiwi says...
@abanks11 says... Yip he was behind, may, Geoffrey-Allen and Goode.
Posted 10:55 01st November 2012
Norm says...
Ferdie
We have indeed done eligibility to death lately, but you have to admit that the fact the best irish qualified tighthead in terms of match fitness is a guy who has trained with Ireland for 2 days is a sad indictment for irish rugby. Good lord we are spunking a lot of good talent in this country at present! I wonder is it more than Kidney needs to go!
Posted 10:53 01st November 2012
abanks11 says...
Was he not the 4th choice prop at the Hurricanes last year? Really sums up the lack of decent props in Ireland!
Posted 10:19 01st November 2012
Ferdie says...
Congrats to MB - forget the inevitable eligibility moans we've done them to death lately, he meets the IRB requirements and will hopefully become Taranaki's next international player. He has a good mentor in Greg Feek (also ex Taranaki) the scrum coach for Leinster and now Ireland too, look forward to seeing him front up in their colours later this month, a pity they do not play the All Blacks.
This year he was the only Taranaki forward to play all Taranaki's 13 first-class matches - and when the TRFU Amber and Black awards are held tonight he'll be in the running for Taranaki player of the year, quite a career already Taranaki U16s, U20s in both 2005 and 2006. Development Team in 2007 and 2008. Capped off by a test cap and maybe many of them.
Posted 09:39 01st November 2012
seapointer says...
amazing - must bring my boots along to the aviva next saturday .... sure if he's injured they might start picking tight heads out of the stand
Posted 09:35 01st November 2012
Melkiwi says...
Feel for the other Irish props who have played all year and have bent come in not even playing a single match in Ireland let a lone have ever been to Ireland until now. Just goes to show the difference in player standards between the two countries. Good at ITM cup leave but not good enough to even start at super level and the comes straight into a national side
Posted 09:27 01st November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Good on him but a bit of a joke.
Posted 09:16 01st November 2012
melkdave says...
Is this reaaly a surprise ,i said on annother thread ,i expect him to be capped as a 2nd half replacement .
Posted 09:15 01st November 2012