THE42 HAS BEEN keeping track of the efforts of the Irish players based abroad over the course of the recent seasons, and with that in mind we’ve selected our team of the 2014/15 campaign.
It proved a difficult task with many players excelling, but here’s the final XV and replacements bench we came up with. There were many more we’d have loved to mention of course, and we will again keep an eye on the Irish exiles next season.
15. Sean Scanlon (Rotherham Titans)
14. Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs)
Whitten scored three Premiership tries this season Inpho
Exeter were one of the biggest stories of the Premiership season as their highly-attractive brand of rugby under Rob Baster brought them to within a whisker of the play-offs, and Whitten was an important part of that push.
The Ulsterman played no less than 30 times across all competitions for Exeter over the course of the campaign, starring on the wing in the league and swapping into the centre for the Challenge Cup. The 27-year-old hasn’t looked back since leaving Ulster in 2012.
13. Chris Farrell (Grenoble)
It would have been easy for Farrell to sit in the Ulster squad and wait for his chance behind a handful of Ireland internationals this season, but he instead opted to join Bernard Jackman, Mike Prendergast, James Hart and Denis Coulson in Grenoble.
21 appearances in the Top 14 later, the ex-Ireland U20 international’s decision has been totally justified. Grenoble have been delighted with Farrell’s impact at 13 and the powerful, skillful centre looks destined for great things.
12. Ian McKinley (Viadana)
11. Conor Gaston (Aurillac)
Former Ulster wing Conor Gaston was excellent for Aurillac Inpho
Picking a second wing was no easy task as Michael Keating also had a superb campaign for Rotherham Titans, but former Ulster and London Irish flyer Gaston gets the nod on account of his seven tries in the Pro D2.
The 24-year-old has adapted to head coach Jeremy Davidson’s ambitious style of rugby and was ever present as low-budget Aurillac very nearly completed the miraculous by earning a play-off spot in the French second tier.
10. Peter Lydon (London Scottish)
1. Tom Court (London Irish)
Inpho
While London Irish’s poor season in the Premiership saw the team changing frequently, 32-times capped Ireland prop Court was a constant feature. The 34-year-old started all but one of the Exiles’ league fixtures.
His scrummaging ability on the loosehead was a vital element of stability for London Irish, while Court also managed to grab two league tries. Will look forward to progress under Tom Coventry next season as a host of new faces join the club.
2. Niall Annett (Worcester)
Inpho
Annett’s promotion with Worcester swells the ranks of Irishmen in England’s top tier, with the former Ireland U20 captain having played an important part.
The 24-year-old hooker enjoyed a battle with Agustín Creevy for the number two shirt under Dean Ryan, even managing to keep the Pumas captain out of the team for periods. Played off the bench in both legs of the Championship play-off final win over Bristol and will only improve again in the Premiership.
3. Conor Carey (Nottingham)
Carey in Ulster Ravens colours in 2012 D Kidd
Nottingham came up just short in their bid for the Championship play-offs as they finished fifth, but Carey can look back on a strong season at tighthead.
The ex-Ireland Schools, U19 and U20 international moved from Ealing Trailfinders last summer and his transfer has proved a wise one. Game time is not easy to come by for 23-year-old props, but Carey has demonstrated his scrummaging promise and ball-carrying ability.
4. Mark Flanagan (Mont-de-Marsan)
5. Darren O’Shea (Worcester)
6. Neil Best (London Scottish)
Best in his Ireland days Inpho
The 36-year-old kept his aggression levels high as London Scottish powered into the play-offs, starting both of the semi-final clashes against Worcester alongside Lydon.
Played in the 6 and 7 shirts at different points in the season, but brought the same big-hitting approach that made him an Ireland international in the past. Has made a nice career for himself in England since leaving Ulster in 2008.
7. Ali Birch (Rotherham Titans)
Birch was an important part of the Titans' season Inpho
Another man who featured in the Championship semi-finals as Rotherham came up short against Bristol, the openside flanker featured in 23 games overall this season.
The 26-year-old previously spent three years with native province Ulster but never got the opportunities for an extended run in the first team. Given that chance in England since 2013, Birch has shown his quality.
8. James Coughlan (Pau)
Replacements:
16. George McGuigan (Newcastle)
17. Jack O’Connell (Bristol)
18. John Andress (Edinburgh)
Andress carries for Alan Solomons' side Inpho
After six years in England, the Ulsterman took his front-row skills to Edinburgh and made 19 appearances in the Guinness Pro12.
19. Jerry Sexton (Exeter Chiefs)
20. Eoghan Grace (Plymouth Albion)/ Willie Ryan (Rotherham)
21. Paul Rowley (London Welsh)
While London Welsh’s season was disastrous, Rowley made the best of his 10 Premiership appearances and secured a move to Ulster.
22. Gareth Steenson (Exeter Chiefs)
Another man who played a vital role in the Chiefs’ brilliant Premiership season from the 10 shirt. Mention too for Rotherham’s James McKinney, cruelly injured before the play-offs.
23. Niall Morris (Leicester Tigers)