WHEN ERIC Miller came on as a replacement for the Lions in the closing stages of the second Test against South Africa in King's Park, Durban, last Saturday, he notched up another notable achievement in what has been a truly remarkable career.

At 21, Miller is the youngest member of the Lions party currently touring South Africa. And while his appearance in the Test lasted no more than five minutes, by playing in the match, he became the youngest forward to play in a Test for the Lions in the modern era.

Another Irishman, Willie John McBride, who made five Lions tours and played in a record 17 Tests for the Lions, was only 21 when he travelled to South Africa with the 1962 Lions. McBride made the Test team on that tour, but celebrated his 22nd birthday in June of that year. Miller will not be 22 until September 23rd.

His fleeting appearance last Saturday was some measure of compensation for a player who had been selected the previous week to play in the first Test, but was ruled out by an untimely attack of flu.

"I was obviously bitterly disappointed when I missed the first Test and after the way the team played, I knew I would have difficulty getting into the team for the second Test," he said.

Cotton and Lions coach Ian McGeechan both believe that Miller is on the verge of an outstanding international career. "He has all the necessary qualities and what is very important, the right attitude," said

Unfortunately for Miller, he must watch the final Test from the stands on Saturday. His hopes that he would have recovered from the thigh muscle injury he sustained last Saturday were dashed yesterday. Yet, however disappointed and frustrated he is, this Lions tour has, he said, "been a tremendous and incredible experience for me. I hope I will return a better player."

From his days at Wesley College, where he played for a time in the out- half position, he has revealed a great aptitude for the game. He is a sportsman of rounded skills - an accomplished soccer player and Gaelic footballer. He played Gaelic football at minor and under-21 levels for Ballyboden St Enda's, and soccer for Rangers in south Dublin in between his rugby exploits.

But Gaelic football's loss has been rugby's gain. Now a full-time professional with Leicester, Miller is one of the players Ireland will be looking to next season to help the team to improve on the recent run of bad results.

He played for two years for the Ireland Schools' and was a member of the team that won the Triple Crown in 1993. He followed that success by helping the Ireland under-21 team to win the Triple Crown in 1996. By that time, he had moved from Old Wesley to Leicester and was a student at Loughborough University.

Such was his rate of progress that he was capped for Ireland at A level in 1996 and so played for Ireland at A and under-21 levels in the same season. In fact, he was also eligible for the Ireland under-21 team last season, but he was required in a much higher sphere by the national selectors. Miller won his first senior cap on the open side flank against Italy.

Since he joined Leicester two years ago, his rate of progress has been remarkable. He made several first-team appearances initially, but last season, when he signed as a contracted professional for the club, he really made the breakthrough displacing Leicester legend, Dean, Richards at number eight and helping his side to win the Pilkington Cup.

After his debut for Ireland against Italy, he played against France, Wales and England. Again injury struck - against England - and he was concussed and out of the game for three weeks.

Such was his form for Leicester and Ireland that he was a leading candidate for a place with the Lions. Selected for the South African tour, his form in provincial matches brought the recognition of a place for the first Test - then the flu 'bug' struck.

"You know well how disappointed I was. When I got the letter under the bedroom door telling me I was chosen for the Test on the Thursday morning, I felt I would make it even though by that time, I was not feeling very well. I thought I would shake it off in a day or so, but that was optimistic. I just could not have played. I knew, too, that I would have a problem getting into the team for the second Test because Tim Rodber played really well.

"I was glad to be on the bench for the second Test and I will never forget the feeling I got when I came in as a replacement in Durban."

Miller, whose parents have been in South Africa following his progress, will return to his home in Churchtown "at least for a few days next week" - he has no immediate plans to return to play in Ireland. He and his three Irish colleagues on this tour, Keith Wood, Paul Wallace and Jeremy Davidson have been excellent ambassadors for Irish rugby. That quartet will have a very important part to play for Ireland in the international arena next season.

And the final word to Fran Cotton. "Erie Miller has shown a great maturity for a 21-year-old. He has the right attitude to go with his immense talent. He and the other Irish players who are here can do an amount for Ireland in the future. Irish rugby has always produced its quota of quality international players and whatever the recent difficulties, that has not altered. Eric Miller is a quality player."