'Exiles' potential growing steadily

Brian O'Driscoll will probably be less forthcoming in taking up invitations to go to watch rugby next time he takes a holiday in the south of France if the furore that greeted his afternoon at Biarritz is a barometer of the interest in his plans.

The Ireland, Lions and Leinster captain will be free to make his choice next June when his contract with the IRFU expires. Irish rugby's governing body had a well-documented policy of trying to keep their best players in this country, but last summer the numbers leaving Ireland grew appreciably.

The trend looks set to continue, especially if Irish provinces start to become less competitive in the European Cup.

There is also the issue of players seeking to use rugby to expand their cultural horizons. Ireland's top players will be looking for an appropriate environment to showcase their ability, and that might not always be the province of their birth.

The increasingly intrusive Players' Advisory Group (PAG), which determines the movement of players within Ireland, might also be a contributory factor in young Irishmen moving aboard.

Given the numbers of Irish now plying their trade in other countries, it's interesting to note the calibre of team that would be available to an "Exiles" set up.

Leicester's Geordan Murphy is the obvious choice at full back. Gavin Duffy (Harlequins) would be an alternative, but we've reserved him a place on the right wing with Justin Bishop (London Irish) on the other flank. Simon Keogh (Harlequins) would make the bench.

Northampton duo David Quinlan and Seamus Mallon form the midfield partnership, where Mel Deane (Harlequins) would be another option.

There is no shortage of outhalves. Andy Dunne (Bath), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Barry Everitt (London Irish) and Ian Humphreys (Leicester) will all play some role in the Guinness Premiership this season.

At scrumhalf, Ben Willis (London Irish) and Eoin Reddan (Wasps) would vie for the number nine shirt.

Niall Treston (Coventry), Shane Byrne (Saracens) and Peter Bracken (Wasps) make up one possible front row, with London Irish hooker Adrian Flavin deserving of a place on the bench.

Leo Cullen (Leicester), Bob Casey (London Irish) and Mike McCarthy (Newcastle) are just some of the options at lock.

The back row, as is the case with most provinces and the national side, throws up an embarrassment of riches in Trevor Brennan (Toulouse), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Aidan McCullen (Toulouse), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Shane Jennings (Leicester) and Kieron Dawson (London Irish).

Each one has represented Ireland at one level or another.

It's likely this Exiles line-up is going to get stronger by this time next year, getting closer to a senior international team.

Scotland and Lions back row forward Simon Taylor is set for his first competitive match of the season when he plays for Edinburgh in the Celtic League against the Ospreys on Sunday.