Opportunity knocks for Eric Miller at Lansdowne this afternoon, in fact it has been beating a tattoo on his door ever since he got his first cap almost three years ago.

But the blonde bombshell has never quite managed to drag it in and make it his own. But this afternoon could be different for the brilliant young flanker who takes over from Andy Ward against the South Africans, a glorious chance to nail down that blind side spot for the season.

At only 25, Eric Roger Patrick Miller has packed an awful lot into a relatively brief but brilliant career,twenty International caps, not counting those at schoolboy, Colleges, University and A level and a stunning tour of South Africa with the Lions in 1997. But his C.V. is speckled with that ominious word "injury" and far too many of his caps have been won coming off the subs bench and that includes five of the last six.

But Eric insists: "I'm older, I'm fitter ,I think I'm wiser and I'm sure I'm ready. Perhaps I played too much rugby in the past, especially when I was with Leicester but coming home was good for me and my game, I'm convinced of that."

Miller's is the perfect rugby pedigree, educated at Wesley College, Sheffield Hallam and Loughborough Universities, he came straight through the ranks to win his first cap against Italy in January 1997. And no doubt his handling skills were helped by a spell with his local gaelic football club Ballyboden St. Endas where he won a Dublin a Dublin under 21 Championship with Dublin regular Brian Stynes.

And Ireland team boss Warren Gatland has made it clear that two of the reasons for choosing Miller in front of Ward were his skill at the back of the line out and the fact that he has played all his rugby this season at blind side. "

Eric has come into a nice bit of form for Leinster , has trained particularly well and may be just the man to do the job for us against the South Africans," said Gatland. And with the prospect of playing in all five of Ireland's Six Championship games, the Terenure man could hardly have a better motivation for what should be a cruncher this afternoon.

Miller came home from the South African tour with rave reviews thre

e years ago but ironically feels that following that trip with a hectic season for Leicester, may have been a bad move. "Perhaps I played too many games for Leicester, about 40, and that might not have been a good thing"he said "but I think I have got things on an even keel since I came home." C

ontractual difficulties meant that Miller could not come back to Ireland until October and because Ulster were willing to handle that problem and give him a contract, he joined Harry Williams. "I was pretty well guaranteed my football and Harry was good for me and my game," Miller explained, "so at the time , it was a good move for me."

And a transfer to Leinster has also fitted perfectly into the Dubliner's scheme of things. "Mike Ruddock did not guarantee me a starting place but I was happy enough with that and I think playing with both Provinces has added considerably to my game, but of course only time will tell," he added.

But there has always been a nagging doubt about Miller's ability to finish a game, his pen picture in Ireland programmes are liberally sprinkled with phrases which begin "unfortunately injury".

However Miller reckons he's fitter than ever and he has certainly shown up well in the Leinster colours. But he's well aware that Gatland works on a squad system and will be ruthless in his search for a winning side.

Ireland finished last season on a glorious winning note against the French in Stade de France and they ripped in eleven tries against the Japanese. This afternoon they produce a team in its prime and I include old man Peter Clohesssy - the senior player at 34 - in that.

It's bristling with pace, witness Hickie's magnificent middle try and by bringing back Dempsey and Miller, Gatland has added two more footballers to a side which should not fail for lack of experience and confidence.

The South Africans will be fierce , formidable and fast but then, so were the French last March!

© Tom Keogh 2000

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