Reddan in line to start for Wasps

Eoin Reddan will know at lunch-time today whether he has made the Wasps team for tomorrow's European Cup match against Llanelli at the Causeway Stadium.

The English side's defeat in west Wales last weekend and scrumhalf Matt Dawson's less than assured performance means the 25-year-old Limerick-born scrumhalf is a strong contender for a starting place.

One or two whispers at training suggested he'd be handed the jersey but as the week progressed Reddan felt Dawson would be afforded the opportunity to atone for the last match. The young Irishman has made quite an impression in his first season since joining from Munster.

He has started eight of the club's 14 matches to date and came on in all bar one of the remainder. He's making progress under the tutelage of Ian McGeechan and Shaun Edwards, happy in his new surroundings. He has taken a circuitous route to Watford - he lives in Richmond - via a two-year spell at Connacht and a further two years at Munster.

The uncertainly that enshrouded Connacht's future in Irish rugby meant Reddan had to make a tough decision to safeguard his future.

"I owe everything to Connacht. They facilitated me while I was there and let me study for my degree at the University of Limerick (business & financial accounting) while continuing in the role of a full-time player. I had to make a decision and it was at this time that Warren Gatland asked me to consider Wasps. I had my heart set on going to Munster and told him that, which he accepted."

Gatland would not be thwarted and his persistence paid off when he called again in January of this year. Reddan, frustrated at Munster, welcomed the opportunity and following a discussion with Edwards agreed to move to London. He has no regrets.

"It's been a brilliant move and I have got better as a player. I'm stronger and my reading of the game has improved. Shaun has been great while Matt (Dawson) has been good to me. I have been getting good game time. More than at any point since my days with Connacht and this has allowed me to develop.

"There is a system of meritocracy at the club where the best team is picked on a consistent basis. If someone is dropped it's for a reason and by the same token when you're promoted it's a pat on the back. I love the way Wasps play the game at 100 miles an hour. That suits my style."

Reddan is one of five brothers, four of whom played rugby at representative level. His father, Don, played on the wing with Connacht, Alan played for Munster and Connacht in the centre, Diarmuid, a scrumhalf, played with Leinster Schools, Munster Under-20 and the Connacht senior side, while the youngest Cian, another centre, played Munster Schools: two scrumhalves, two centres.

Reddan is hoping that he can nudge past Dawson and edge him closer to his dream of an Irish cap. There has been no contact from national coach Eddie O'Sullivan but he hopes the latter is aware of his progress at a club that is home to fellow Irishmen Peter Bracken, Johnny O'Connor and Jeremy Staunton.

"I've just got to continue to improve and by doing that then I'll put myself in a position to be selected. I do want to play for Ireland but that's not up to me. My priority now is to become first choice at Wasps."

Winning the number nine jersey for tomorrow's match would be a seminal moment in that quest.