Bent could be answer to Ireland’s prop prayers

If Michael Bent’s abilities as a player are half as impressive as his back story then Ireland’s lack of depth at the troublesome tighthead prop position will have eased dramatically with the Kiwi’s arrival.

The 26-year old flew in with his girlfriend on Sunday evening just a week after Taranaki’s NPC semi-final defeat to Canterbury and by lunchtime yesterday he had already done a stint on the bike, had discussions with coaches Gert Smal and Greg Feek and studied play calls and patterns. He is the second non-native front row forward to link up with Declan Kidney’s squad inside the last week after hooker Richardt Strauss’ call-up last Wednesday but team manager Mick Kearney was keen to play up Bent’s green heritage.

“Michael Bent qualifies on the basis of his grandmother on his mother’s side who grew up in Rathmines and served in the British Army over in Wales where she met her husband who had joined the New Zealand Air Force and was stationed in Wales. He is the holder of an Irish passport and his sister Kim was an entrant in the Taranaki Rose of Tralee contest a number of years ago. She plays the tin whistle and has been living in Dublin for a number of years.”