Plying his trade in Ireland has led to Northland rugby player Jake Heenan calling out the national coach, saying he wants to be part of the country's plans going forward.
The 21-year-old Heenan is currently playing with the Connacht club, which is coached by former Blues coach Pat Lam, andis contracted until 2016 - when he becomes eligible for Ireland.
The former Junior All Blacks captain told TheScore.ie that he wants Ireland coach Joe Schmidt calling him the day that he is eligible. "I've told everyone I'm not sure what I would do, but I definitely want the option," Heenan told TheScore.ie last week.
"The day that I'm eligible I want Joe Schmidt to call me and tell me he wants me to be part of his plans.
"It's definitely something I want to achieve, but whether that's the path I take when I get there I'm not sure - I don't think too much about it - but I'd definitely like to be in that frame."
The openside flanker, who turns 22 on St Patrick's Day, is only into his first year at the club but will be eligible for Ireland in two years.
However, Heenan's quest has had a spanner thrown in the works as he has suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in last weekend's game.
Meanwhile, in other European rugby news, former All Black Rene Ranger has scored two tries for big paying French club Montpellier on their way to a 50-19 win over Perpignan.
