TIGHT HEAD prop Paul Wallace is the latest Ireland international to move to England. Wallace (24) has signed for English first division club Saracens.

Wallace, holder of five international caps, and a man who has played for Ireland at every level from schools through to senior, was approached several months ago by Saracens, but deferred a decision until Wednesday when he decided to make the move to England.

Wallace confirmed yesterday that he has signed a three year contract with Saracens with a one year opt out clause. He has been given a career break by his employers, First National Building Society.

"I have been considering the move for quite some time and it was an extremely difficult decision but several factors influenced me," said Wallace, who joined Blackrock College from UCC three years ago. "The fact that I have a career break is very important to me as is the one year clause. I felt that if I did not make the move and play in the English first division, it is something I might later regret. Another element is that the Irish training schedule now, especially the close season training, is such that it is difficult to do it and keep down a full time job."

Wallace is the eighth Ireland international to move to England in recent months. It is a measure of the level of movement that only three of the Ireland team that played in the final Championship match of last season against England in March are still based with Irish clubs. They are the Malone pair, centre Maurice Field and flanker Denis McBride, and second row Jeremy Davidson (Dungannon) and Davidson could well be the next to move across Channel to join the ever increasing international contingent at London Irish.

Six of the side that played against England last March are now moving to English clubs and will be playing their rugby there next season. They include Nial Wood ho has gone to London Irish as have Gabriel Fulcher, and Victor Costello. David Corkery has gone to Bristol and scrum half Niall Hogan is going to Oxford University and is expected to play for the university and now Wallace becomes the sixth.

In addition, Paul Burke, a reserve against England, has also gone to Bristol and Ireland flanker Eddie Halvey, who played against the Barbarians last month, is already with Saracens. In addition, Davidson and his Dungannon club mate, international second row Paddy Johns, a man capped 28 times and a reserve against England, are in negotiations with London Irish and Bedford respectively, but have not yet signed contracts with those clubs. Clearly the IRFU initiative in offering contracts to home based players has not proved a sufficient incentive to keep them playing in Ireland as hoped.

Meanwhile, Mark Duffy, who was assistant coach to Mark Anscome at Old Wesley last season, has taken over as coach to the club. Duffy is a former coach to Toronto Irish under 21 team and the Toronto Development side and was also a Canadian national selector. Full back Conor Hoey will captain Old Wesley next season.