In essence it was one opportunity, the platform to showcase his ability, before retreating across the Irish Sea and the gritty fare of the Welsh-Scottish league. Simon Easterby offered no inkling of being encumbered by ancillary concerns as he prepared for one of the most important games of his fledgling career. Certainly his performance that night at Ravenhill for Llanelli in their European Cup clash with Ulster earlier this season didn't reflect the high pressure stakes.

The 24-year-old Yorkshire born former Ireland Under-21, A international and new Irish squad member enjoyed a superb match, arguably the outstanding back row performer of the six on display. "It was always going to be a big game for me because it was an opportunity to impress in an Irish context," Easterby says. "I think Donal Lenihan was at the match. I thought I had a reasonable game, I suppose I was happy enough."

Easterby, brother of former Ireland A scrum-half Guy, played at openside flanker that night but he can play in any position in the back row. Ireland's outstanding player in his season at under-21 level, he proved an excellent number eight. At Leeds he played in all three back row positions while his current employers Llanelli have selected him at both six and seven. At six foot three inches and 15 stone 10 pounds, his physique facilitates his versatility.

"The only time that I have played openside this season was in the two matches against Ulster. My other games for the club have been on the blindside flank. I don't have a preference if you're asking me in terms of an Ireland jersey: I would play anywhere that I was asked. The game associated with openside is the one I enjoy more. I like being constructive, getting to the ball first and making decisions. I see the other flanker position as primarily being more destructive."

Easterby qualifies for Ireland through his mother Catherine (nee Doyle); her family house a stone's throw from Stradbrook, home to Blackrock College. An integral part of the Exiles set-up through his teenage years, Easterby was introduced to the Ireland Under-21s while playing for Harrogate. Two wins from four matches - the victories were against England and Scotland - represented a reasonable campaign under the then coach Eddie O'Sullivan and team manager Jim Glennon.

Those who questioned Easterby's loyalties, who may have whispered about him taking the softer option of aligning himself with Ireland, received an emphatic answer prior to Ireland's game against a Clive Woodward coached England at Greystones in 1997. Easterby was nursing a shoulder injury but declared himself fit.

The management could see the pain in his face at training when he tackled but the player would not concede the extent of the damage. Eventually Easterby was forced into undergoing a fitness test prior to kick-off on the day of the match. Glennon described it as "one of the hardest things I ever had to do was telling him that he was not playing." Easterby was inconsolable, the tears that flowed in the team room genuine.

Glennon tried on several occasions to persuade Easterby to join Leinster; the closest he managed was when the young player trained with the province in the summer of 1998. Things did not work out contract wise, but it has not dulled Glennon's admiration. "He (Easterby) reminds me of John O'Driscoll and that is one hell of a compliment for any young player. The similarities are remarkable, culture, birthplace, accent and also their fierce devotion to Ireland.

"O'Driscoll could play any position in the back row, had that single-minded determination and toughness: Easterby has all those qualities."

Two seasons at Leeds under the tutelage of former Welsh international Phil Davis left Easterby with a decision to make. "Phil was a good teacher but Leeds couldn't offer me the level of rugby that I needed to be playing to gain international recognition.

"At the time I spoke briefly to a couple of Irish provinces but things didn't work out and I also had several offers from English clubs. Llanelli offered me the opportunity to play at the higher level and I decided to go to Stradey Park."

Easterby has made a huge impression since joining the Welsh club during the summer.

"My priorities at the beginning of the season was to try and make the Llanelli team and get to play in the European Cup. When Ulster were drawn in the pool I was delighted because it offered (me) an opportunity to play in front of Irish selectors. It was a crappy night in terms of the weather and that dictated the way we played which was a little disappointing. We prefer to move the ball but in fairness winning was the only thing on the agenda.

"In the second match against Ulster, I played with a dead leg and did okay. I'd love to be involved with the A team and hopefully take it from there. I just want the chance to perform and if I move up from there all the better."

Easterby's more immediate priority before he links up with the 45-man Irish squad is Llanelli's European Cup clash with Wasps at Stradey Park this weekend. "If we can beat them by 10 points then we will top the group and qualify for a home draw in the quarter-finals. We led at half time in the first game but they controlled possession in the second half to overtake us. They have an excellent defence and the tight Loftus Road pitch suits them.

"But we are up for this match, particularly after the comment made by Wasps Director of Rugby Nigel Melville in which he said that we would basically be no asset to any British league. We are hoping that there'll be some humble pie on the menu at Stradey Park."