Munster’s nearly-man Latham in line for call-up against Ireland

MUNSTER’S “nearly man” Chris Latham put himself in line for a place in Australia’s starting line-up against Ireland in Melbourne on Saturday by scoring a record five tries in the 142-0 demolition of hapless Namibia at the Adelaide Oval.

Latham, who scorned Munster approaches last summer having more or less committed himself to coach Alan Gaffney, claimed before Saturday’s match that he needed to turn in “a phenomenal performance” against Namibia to have any chance of playing against Ireland.

Whether five tries, even against such palpably weak opposition, will do the trick is up to Aussie coach Eddie Jones who announces his team on Wednesday.