The Statistics:

DOB: 29/1/75
Birthplace: Bangor, Co Down, Ulster.
Height: 6' 1''
Weight: 15st 6lbs
Position: Openside flanker
Club: London Irish
Province: ----
Caps: 19
Lions caps: none
International record: 1 try
Debut: vs New Zealand, 1997

A Triple Crown winner with both Irish Schools and Ireland U-21s, the former Queens University, Belfast, student relocated to London Irish in 1996, quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most lightening-quick and creative openside flankers operating in the British league. Although a terrier at the breakdown, he is happiest on offense playing an open and wide game that highlights his superb ball-handling skills. After surviving the ill-fated development squad tour to New Zealand in 1997, he won his first cap in an autumn Lansdowne Road appearance against the All Blacks. A sucession of injuries and competition from more physical players such as Andy Ward and David Wallace has restricted his caps, but he played in key games in the 1999 World Cup and with a recent summer tour 2003 cap against Tonga, is set to be a strong contender for the 2003 World Cup squad. Will be the obvious alternative in the No7 shirt to Keith Gleeson if (and it's a big "if") Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan decides to play a more expansive gameplan.

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