IRFU set to up chase for 'Australia’s strongest' rugby prospect

Prop Massimo De Lutiis has been linked Down Under to an Ireland switch.

ON THE RADAR: Massimo De Lutiis of the Reds (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Ireland’s chase of Irish-qualified Queensland Reds tighthead prop prospect Massimo De Lutiis looks set to intensify after their interest in the 22-year-old dubbed the “Australia’s strongest” rugby player was made public Down Under on Monday.

The IRFU made no official comment when approached by the Irish Examiner for confirmation of the story broken by CodeSports.com, but it is understood there is truth in Irish Rugby’s interest in the uncapped Australia A international, who has been called into Wallabies camps by head coach Joe Schmidt.

Munster appear to be most in need of reinforcements at tighthead with Samoa international Michael Ala’alatoa’s short-term deal with the province set to expire at the end of the season and former Ireland international John Ryan reaching the end of his career. 

With Roman Salanoa a long-term absentee and Oli Jager’s availability hampered by a variety of injury issues since his arrival from the Crusaders, head coach Clayton McMillan would be interested in securing a player of De Lutiis’ potential, despite his limited outings with the Reds.

Ala’alatoa and Ryan were the only recognised tightheads on Munster’s two-game URC tour to South Africa, which ended with a second defeat last Saturday at the Bulls, with inexperienced loosehead Kieran Ryan also covering the other side of the front row having appeared there as a replacement against Argentina XV in November.

Yet other provinces are believed to be keen on signing De Lutiis and in making Irish Rugby’s interest known in Australia, there will be an urgency from both Unions in getting the player’s signature now the cat is out of the bag.