Ben Te’o could prove the one that got away for Ireland

Jared Payne. Richardt Strauss. CJ Stander.

Ireland have been relatively latecomers to the party when it comes to naturalising foreign players for service in the national colours, but the quality has largely made up for any lack of quantity and it may be that Bundee Aki joins those ranks some time next year.

The Connacht centre would be a wonderful addition to the Irish squad, regardless of peoples’ opinions on the rights or wrongs of the ease with which players can declare for faraway unions nowadays, but another gem is about to slip through the fingers.