CJ Stander has been one of the stars of Munster's back row in recent years, but could we be about to see him in the green of Ireland?
The 25-year-old became the first overseas player to be named Munster's Player of the Season last Summer.
Speaking last night on Off the Ball, rugby correspondent for The Irish Times Gerry Thornley said he expects Stander to at least feature in the extended squad for Ireland's defense of their Six Nations title. "He's certainly worth having a look at in the Six Nations squad."
Thornley feels that Stander could thrive in the Irish pack in the same way players like Andy Ward and Keith Gleeson did in previous years: "Players that don't get picked up initially by the national side in the southern hemisphere, if they come into the Irish system, the Irish system will make them better players"
Stander joined Munster in 2012 and qualifies for Ireland through residency. Although he is not a fan of the three year residency rule, Thornley feels Ireland have to take advantage of the system in the same way other countries do. He feels the situation where someone like Stander can join the Ireland squad "suits the rich nations".
Ireland's first game of the Six Nations takes place in Dublin against Wales on February 7th.
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