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)
In his second season with Rotherham, Scanlon was once again superb as the Titans claimed another promotion play-off semi-final spot before succumbing to Bristol.
26-year-old Scanlon scored five tries across the course of the campaign, after which he was selected as Rotherham’s player of the season by his teammates. An incisive, calming influence from the back, the Titans will be hoping to hang onto him for the future.
14. Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs)
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)
The former Leinster out-half enjoyed an outstanding season for Viadana in the Italian National Championship of Excellence, starting eight games and scoring four tries, 24 penalties, 24 conversions and a drop goal.
25-year-old McKinley also made his Barbarians debut in April’s clash with Heriot’s in Scotland. His creativity, passing, running threat and kicking game all stood out in an excellent campaign as Viadana finished in sixth in the Italian league.
McKinley played predominantly at out-half, but did feature at 12 too.
11. Conor Gaston (Aurillac)
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)
After his adventure in Stade Français in 2013/14, former Kilkenny College man Lydon was closer to home during the season just ended. The 22-year-old’s form was a major factor in London Scottish’s drive into the Championship play-offs.
Lydon was honoured with both the players’ player of the season and supporters’ player of the season awards at the club’s end-of-year dinner, underlining his impact. The ex-Seapoint RFC man was a points machine from the tee and though he largely played with the 15 shirt on his back, he did also feature at out-half on a handful of occasions.
9. Peter Stringer (Bath)
Stringer started last weekend’s Premiership final for Bath, having delivered a superb performance in the semi-final hammering of Leicester.
The 37-year-old fell out of favour with Mike Ford midway through the campaign, before his sub appearance against Leinster in the Champions Cup quarter-finals showed his enduring quality. The Cork man joins Sale Sharks next season, but it’s just a shame that none of the Irish provinces were able to bring him home for a grandstand finale.
1. Tom Court (London Irish)
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)
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)
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)
The former Leinster lock was in excellent form as Mont-de-Marsan went all the way to the Pro D2 promotion play-off final, where they were beaten 16-15 by Agen.
25-year-old Flanagan has developed greatly under Scott Murray at the French club and will head for Bedford Blues in the Championship next season after playing almost 40 times in his two years at Mont-de-Marsan.
5. Darren O’Shea (Worcester)
Crosshavan man O’Shea made the ballsy decision to leave Munster’s academy in search of regular game time at senior level and his move has certainly paid off.
The 22-year-old will be playing Premiership rugby next season after Dean Ryan’s Worcester beat Bristol in the two-legged Championship final. O’Shea impressed over the course of 18 appearances this season, including a start in the semi-final against London Scottish.
6. Neil Best (London Scottish)
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)
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)
The powerful Munster native had a brilliant first season in the Pro D2, driving Pau’s promotion into the Top 14 with some superb displays. He won over the club’s players, fans and the French media with his rounded performances at number eight.
Now gets the chance to play in the Top 14 as Pau’s recruitment continues to impress, the likes of Conrad Smith, Sean Dougall, Colin Slade and Euan Murray having agreed to join.
Replacements:
16. George McGuigan (Newcastle)
The former Ireland U20 hooker played more than 10 times for the Falcons in the Premiership, also managing to score a try.
17. Jack O’Connell (Bristol)
Will be hugely disappointed to miss out on promotion, but had a strong first season with Andy Robinson’s men in the Championship.
18. John Andress (Edinburgh)
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)
The ex-Ireland U20 lock joined the Chiefs on an initial 12-week trial, but impressed enough to make his Premiership debut and secure a contract for next season. Brian Hayes at Aurillac played 16 times as Davidson’s club finished fifth in the Pro D2.
20. Eoghan Grace (Plymouth Albion)/ Willie Ryan (Rotherham)
Couldn’t do anything to prevent Plymouth’s relegation from the Championship alongside compatriot Declan Cusack, but did score four tries from the openside. Is now with the Ireland men’s sevens set-up.
Meanwhile, Rotherham number eight Ryan had a highly-promising first season in the Championship, having been plucked from Cork Con. A former Ireland Clubs international, he has made a good start to his pro career.
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)
An injury-interrupted season ended with another one in the Premiership semi-final defeat to Bath. Still, his three tries in 13 games earned him a new contract with the Tigers. Elsewhere, Connacht man Eoin Griffin settled into life at London Irish well.
