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Marty Moore thinks he could enter the Ireland picture if he plays well for Wasps

Marty Moore has joined Wasps for the upcoming season
Image: Marty Moore has joined Wasps for the upcoming season

Prop Marty Moore says he is hopeful his move to Wasps will not adversely affect his chances of being selected by Ireland.

The 25-year-old tighthead is fit after struggling for six months with a hamstring problem and is looking forward to the Aviva Premiership campaign.

However, Ireland's performance director David Nucifora says players will be at a "disadvantage" in the battle for Test places if they play their club rugby abroad, and Ian Madigan was overlooked for the summer tour of South Africa after joining Bordeaux.

However, ex-Leinster man Moore, who has 10 Ireland caps to his name, says he thinks it is possible that players based in England may be looked on more favourably.

"I think this is a great club and a great competition," said Moore of his switch to Wasps.

"And hopefully, if I'm in a position where I'm playing for the club, I'll be in just as good a position to put my hand up for selection internationally.

"I'm not a million miles away from Dublin at the moment but we'll have to see how the season goes.

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Dai Young, Wasps' Director of Rugby
Image: Dai Young says Wasps are keen for Moore to represent his country

"I think I've just got to play my rugby week-in week-out here, and the rest is just up to who's in charge.

"I think England can maybe be viewed a little differently from France in perhaps the control, just what's expected week-in, week-out from the clubs.

"There's a little bit of that unknown with the French league at times, which isn't really there with the Premiership, especially now with the new RFU deal coming in.

"It settles the mind a bit for coaches I think."

And Wasps rugby director Dai Young insisted back in January that he did not think there will be any issues regarding Moore's availability for Ireland.

Young pledged "we'll want Marty to play for his country", after Wasps had confirmed Moore's arrival from Leinster for the 2016/17 season.

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