Lenihan criticises IRFU over fast-tracking of Bent

Former Irish rugby manager and captain, Donal Lenihan has criticised the IRFU for the hasty manner with which it has made New Zealand prop Michael Bent eligible for Ireland.

While Lenihan, writing in today’s Irish Examiner, has little issue with the grandparent rule of qualification, he said he does have an issue with the haste with which Bent was fast-tracked into the Ireland squad last week.

“As far as I am aware, neither Declan Kidney, Less Kiss or Gert Smal have ever seen him play live and his credentials are unproven. Watching a prop on a DVD only reveals so much as so many scrums are blind to the TV camera. To make a proper assessment requires several live viewings against quality opposition.”