Reddan : Wasps experience not a factor in Welsh clash

Irish scrum-half Eoin Reddan has played down his connections with London Wasps ahead of Ireland's Six Nations showdown with Wales this weekend.

The Limerickman has first-hand experience of Welsh defence coach Shaun Edwards, whom he credits for convincing him to commit to the London outfit until the end of the 2009/10 season.

Although he rates Edwards as one as the top defence coaches in the world, Reddan insists he is focused on his own game and not surprised at the selection of his Welsh counterpart Mike Phillips.

Reddan has transformed his career since moving to the Guinness Premiership.

Returning to Premiership action with Wasps last October enabled Reddan to escape the post-mortem of Ireland's dismal World Cup showing and perhaps this absenteeism has been a factor in Reddan's continued progress this year – he has turned in three impressive showings in Ireland's Six Nations campaign to date.

The lure of game-time across the water is likely to cause increasing selection problems for Eddie O'Sullivan in coming years – indeed, ex-Munster fly half Eoghan Hickey is currently causing a stir at London Irish – and Reddan reckons this trend can only be good news for Irish rugby.