Wednesday 24 January 2018 14:04, UK
Joe Schmidt has not ruled out drafting uncapped Scarlets lock Tadhg Beirne into Ireland's squad for the Six Nations.
Beirne has been shortlisted for the European Player of the Year award after a string of standout Champions Cup performances with the Scarlets.
The 26-year-old will join Muster in the summer, and his return to Ireland will allow head coach Schmidt to select him for Test action unencumbered.
Ireland have an unwritten rule of overlooking overseas-based stars, but Schmidt may yet decide to bring Beirne into the Six Nations equation.
"I wouldn't rule him out completely, but it is complicated, just that backwards and forwards," said Schmidt, of possibly selecting Beirne during the Six Nations.
"We have those camp weeks where he'd have to go back and be available for Scarlets.
"That intermittent involvement with the squad, when it's your first involvement, that is one of the things that tipped the balance away from him.
"It's a complex one when people are playing away from Ireland; it's super that he's committed to coming back to Munster next year.
"The problem with Tadhg is that if we take him to Spain we're required to make him back available for the Scarlets.
"He's played 1,350 minutes already this season, our players don't really play so much. But that's because he's so resilient and because he plays so well, I thought he was huge in the last two games.
"It just is a little bit complicated but that will cease at the end of the season, and that will then provide an opportunity."
Leinster full-back Jordan Larmour is Ireland's newest uncapped call-up, with Schmidt insisting the 20-year-old is ready to push for Test match selection.
"The first time he was in camp was probably 16 months ago, we've spent a bit of time having him in," said Schmidt, of Larmour.
"It's potentially a chance now to accelerate his progress into a match-day squad and a starting XV.
"The most visible things are his ability to accelerate and change direction, but he's skilful, effective in the air, good passing skills and commits to the physical as well. He's a really good kid and that is appealing as well."
Schmidt also confirmed knee injury victim Dave Kilcoyne is expected to miss the opening Six Nations clash against France, in Paris on Saturday, February 3.
Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale should recover from a knock just in time for the France encounter, however.
"Dave won't make the first match, he may come into contention for the second match, I think," said Schmidt, of Kilcoyne.
"He would be a real outside chance for the first game.
"Jacob should be right to train by the end of this week and then he'd be in the mix for France."
