London Irish captain Bob Casey is hoping to earn an international recall - eight years after his last appearance for Ireland.
London Irish captain bidding to earn Ireland recall
London Irish captain Bob Casey is hoping to earn an international recall - eight years after his last appearance for Ireland.
The 29-year-old has been one of the driving forces behind the Exiles reaching the last four of the Heineken Cup.
However, despite being one of the Premiership's most consistent performers, Casey has not been able to add to his five caps since his last appearance against Canada in 2000.
But with Ireland set to appoint a replacement for former coach Eddie O'Sullivan - with Munster chief Declan Kidney the front-runner - Casey is hoping to finally end his exile.
"As long as I'm playing I'll always have the dream of representing Ireland again," he said.
"The better London Irish do and the better I play the more chance I'll have of achieving that.
Frustrating
"The lack of recognition I've had over the last few years has been frustrating and I try not to think about it.
"There will be a new man in charge and from my perspective it certainly can't get any worse than when Eddie O'Sullivan was head coach!
"Under O'Sullivan there were times when I felt I should have been in the mix but it was his decision and until this season he was viewed as a successful Ireland coach.
"But with someone else in charge and London Irish being in the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup, things are looking up for me.
"A strong performance against Toulouse would really put me in the shop window for the new guy coming in."
