ERIC MILLER'S appearances in a Leicester first-team jersey have been few band far between but that was to be expected in his role as understudy at number eight to Dean Richards. However, with the former England stalwart sidelined through illness, the 21-year-old Dubliner grabbed the opportunity to shine in Leicester's 34-18 defeat of Harlequins, which maintained his club's position at the top of Courage League.
Miller was instrumental in two of Leicester's four tries and kept harrying his London hosts all afternoon. After Saturday's display, Miller could soon add to his Ireland A under-21, students and schools honours. Murray Kidd is not exactly devoid of options in the back row and there is a danger of throwing Miller in too deep, especially when he cannot command a regular place at his club, but a trip by selectors to assess his international potential would not be a waste of time.
If Miller has any qualms about the gulf between club and country, the youngster could ask his teammate Niall Malone. Malone battled with inexperience when prematurely pitched into the international arena. In recent tines he has been trying to re-establish his credentials and with Jim Staples missing from Harlequins' line-up due to a broken jaw, he has the chance to move up the pecking order as either fly half or fullback.
His performance on Saturday in the former position emphasised, that his ability has not diminished, particularly his admirable ball distribution skills. In the absence of Staples, the one-timed league leaders were remarkably rudderless and even Keith Woods had one of his rare off days for Harlequins.
David Humphreys put some of his recent problems behind him with an assured performance in London Irish's 52-41 victory over fellow strugglers West Hartlepool.
Five conversations and four penalties helped him exorcise the demons that seem to have affected his kicking this season but the high scoring was not indicative of any real excellence.
Wasps, meanwhile, kept up their pressure on Leicester with an 18-13 win over Northampton.
Wasps' international-studded pack regularly drew the visitors into their traps and set up Canadian international Gareth Rees to notch up six penalties out of six. Despite an inferior points difference, the London club have a game in hand in their bid to win the league for the first time since 1990.
Poor weather conditions saw half the Courage League division one matches cancelled. The hype surrounding the Saracens' debut of Francois Pienaar, South Africas World Cup winning captain, has had to be postponed until next Saturday.
He will then get a fitting stage for his first appearance in English club rugby as his north London club entertains league champions Bath.
