IRELAND number eight Eric Miller, who played so well for Ireland against Wales last Saturday, has been chosen at number eight in the Leicester side to meet Bath in the Pilkington Cup tie on Saturday. And the man who makes way for Miller is the Leicester captain and former England and Lions number eight Dean Richards.
Richards has been relegated to the replacement bench following Leicester coach Bob Dwyer's decision to go for the 21 year old Irishman.
Richards, who led Leicester in the recent European Cup final, has accepted the demotion and paid tribute to Miller's ability and potential, emphasising how well Miller played for Ireland last Saturday.
Richards has never been axed from the side during his illustrious 3 year career with Leicester, but Dwyer insisted that England's veteran number eight remains part of his long term plans at Welford Road.
Dwyer said: "Our current thoughts are that Dean could be used very effectively in the second row.
"We bare looking at various possible second and back row combinations, and Dean certainly comes into the equation.
"But Eric Miller's current form means that he virtually demanded selection for the Bath game," added Dwyer, who was hugely impressed by his contribution when Ireland beat Wales in Cardiff last weekend.
Dublin born Miller joined Leicester from Old Wesley last season, moving to England as he began studies at Sheffield's Hallam University.
His debut as a senior international, following several successful Ireland A appearances, came on the flank against Italy five weeks ago, but be was then switched to number eight for the Five Nations game against France, which Ireland lost 32-15.
However Miller's Arms Parka display was crucial to Ireland extending their winning run on Welsh soil, and confirmed his obvious Lions potential.
He replaced Richards when the Leicester skipper went off injured towards the end of Leicester's emphatic Heineken Cup final defeat by French club Brive last month. But this is the first time that Richards has lost out when both players have been available for selection.
"Dean took it fantastically well, which is only what you would expect from a man of his calibre," Dwyer said. "His reaction made it easy to see why he has achieved so much in the game.
England lock Martin Johnson will take over as captain from Richards, the world's most capped number eight.
Now 33, Richards joined Leicester in 1983 and made a memorable England debut three years later, scoring two tries against Ireland.
He was the first England player for 57 years to achieve that scoring feat on a debut, and recently became only the second Leicester forward ever to claim 100 club touchdowns.
The Ireland selectors will be hoping that the promoted Miller comes through the match between last season's Pilkington cup finalists without injury.
The team to meet England on Saturday week will be chosen next Sunday and announced at 5.30 on Wednesday evening.
Another task for the selectors on Sunday will be to choose the A team to meet England A at Donnybrook tomorrow week (3.00 pm). The Ireland Under 21 team will also play England Under 21 tomorrow week. That match will also have a three o clock kick off and will be played in Greystones.
As is now the usual procedure prior to internationals, the Ireland squad will train in Limerick. They will assemble at lunchtime on Monday and travel to Dublin on Thursday.
Cork Constitution have been hit by injuries and will be without centre Brian Walsh, props Ian Murray and Paul McCarthy and back five player Aran Verling for the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League match against Ballymena on Saturday.
Leo O Leary will make his league debut in place of Walsh, and Girvan Lynch also makes his league debut in the back row. Seamus McGrath, who came on as a replacement in the match against Lansdowne, is chosen as second row partner to Ken Murphy.
