Kiwi-born Browne opts for Ireland

LeeroyJones

31 year old Leeds Carnegie No.8 has declared Ireland as who he would like to represent internationally, being also eligible for New Zealand and England.

New Zealand-born back-row Daniel Browne may have thrown his name into Declan Kidney's thoughts by stating he wants to play for Ireland.

The former Bath forward, who is now plying his trade at Leeds Carnegie, qualifies for the Emerald Isle through his father while he can also run out for England after being a resident for three years when at the Recreation Ground.

However, it seems that Browne has his heart set on Ireland and believes that a strong campaign in Yorkshire could see him pull on the green shirt.

"Every player wants to play international rugby and it would great to put on the Irish jersey," he said, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds.

"Hopefully on the back of a good season here I can achieve that."

Browne joins a man who is already knocking on the international door despite not being born in the respective country he wants to represent. That is Hendre Fourie, with the flank doing enough last season to force his way into England's squad for the June tour of Australia, which has encouraged the hard-working 31-year-old number eight.

"Hendre played really well last season and on the back of a great season for Leeds he got the call-up for England," he continued.

"So I hope I can have a good season here and earn an international call-up too.

"I needed a new challenge after my bad injury at Bath, which made it hard for me to get back into the team there.

"I feel the plans in place at Leeds and their ambitions are the challenge I wanted now.

"At Bath we knew when we faced Leeds we'd face a good pack and now I'm looking forward to being on the back of that very strong pack."

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6334563,00.html

Considering the options we have at 8, he's a fair bit down the pecking order but it's nice to have one more option!

Cool_CM

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Considering the options we have at 8, he's a fair bit down the pecking order but it's nice to have one more option!

Nice to have another option, but imo 31 is a bit too old for somebody to enter the current irish international setup unless they are really something special who will bring a massive impact from the off.

We should be concentrating on youth.

tolosenc

His best chance of getting a cap would probably be with England...

durkadurka

no chance of converting him into a TH then!! can't be that much difference for crying out loud;)

[Jackass]

He obviously wants to play in the world cup, but I'm absolutely amazed he would declare for Ireland if that is the case.

He would have a far far superior chance of playing for England (although, still not a great chance) but he hasn't a hope of playing for Ireland imo.

thomond2006

We have Heaslip, Leamy, Henry, SOB, Coughlan and Diack (he's IQ soon I think) who can all play 8.

Unless he has an unbelievable season, he hasn't got a hope of even making the A squad. Not playing in the HEC doesn't help either. If he was younger then maybe it would be worth investing time on him but not now.

Good luck to him though.

durkadurka

And wallace

thomond2006

durkadurka wrote: »

And wallace

Knew I forgot someone.

testtech05

thomond2006 wrote: »

We have Heaslip, Leamy, Henry, SOB, Coughlan and Diack (he's IQ soon I think) who can all play 8.

Along with Wallace, would I be right in thinking Roger Wilson would also be ahead of him in the pecking order?

Ciaran-Irl

Muldoon can play 8 too.

anonymous_joe

Very odd decision. Be amazed to see him get capped.