Irish star at home in Wales

In-form flanker Simon Easterby does not believe a move to Ireland would enhance his international status.

The Llanelli back-row will be the only member of the Irish starting line-up to face Wales at Lansdowne Road tomorrow who does not ply his trade in Ireland.

After arriving in South Wales from his native Yorkshire five years ago, Easterby has seen no reason to move despite overtures from Ulster, and proved his commitment to the Stradey Park outfit by signing a new deal with them before last year’s World Cup.

Since then, the 28-year-old has re-established himself in Eddie O’Sullivan’s international plans, playing a key role in the games against Argentina and Australia Down Under, then turning in one of Ireland’s better individual performances in the opening-day Six Nations defeat in France last weekend.

And Easterby believes it is what he achieves in the famous green shirt which will determine his future at Test level.

“I enjoy it at Llanelli and because we play against Irish sides quite regularly in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup, being in Wales shouldn’t make any difference to me,” he said.

“What really helped me was the summer tour. A number of players went home after the game against Australia but there were seven or eight of us who were borderline selections for the World Cup who did well in the following matches against Tonga and Samoa.

“They might not have been the greatest teams but they were both difficult matches and it allowed us to make a push for our positions.

“We wanted to prove we were good enough to play in the World Cup and almost all of us achieved our aim.”

O’Sullivan rates Easterby, who qualifies for Ireland through a Dun Laoghaire-born mother, as one of the most under-rated back-rows in the world.

His defensive qualities and mental toughness bring an abrasive quality to the Irish back-row, while he is also a capable runner when he does get the chance to go forward.

And, for this game at least, the articulate former Ampleforth College scholar will also be able to provide an invaluable insight into the opposition.

While only two of Steve Hansen’s side – fly-half Stephen Jones and number eight Dafydd Jones – are fellow Scarlets, Easterby has seen enough of them all not to be surprised at the stunning reversal in form which began against New Zealand and England during the World Cup.

“There is always high expectation among the Welsh public but the two years before the World Cup were pretty poor,” he said.

“By the time they played the All Blacks, there was hardly any pressure on them at all because everyone expected them to get beaten but they just went out and played rugby.

“It wasn’t particularly well structured but it caught New Zealand unawares, did the same to England the following week and carried it on against Scotland in Cardiff last Saturday.

“I am not that surprised because the players have always been there. The problem has been getting them to click.”

Wales’ form has been good enough to ensure no-one is predicting a repeat of the record 54-10 hammering Ireland inflicted on their Celtic cousins in the corresponding fixture two weeks ago.

In fact, Easterby feels a big improvement will have to be made on the Irish effort in Paris to maintain a four-match winning streak against the Welsh.

Brian O’Driscoll’s return will give the home side a significant lift, while a first start for lock Donnacha O’Callaghan brings a more abrasive look to the front five.

Even so, the warning signs are there for all to see.

“There is huge pressure on us,” said Easterby.

“We let France off-load in the tackle too often last week and if we do the same thing with Wales tomorrow we will probably end up with the same result.

“We lost our shape in attack a little bit too, so there are plenty of areas for us to improve.

“After this game we must face England at Twickenham, so we could do with a confidence boost going into it.

“Before the competition started, we targeted three home victories, so really this is a must-win match for us.”