A dynamic centre with lightning quick feet and an enviable rugby brain, GORDON D'ARCY has made the number 12 position over the past three seasons. As evidence of this, the Wexford man played in all 19 of Ireland's Test matches between November 2005 and March of this year, prior to the summer tour to Argentina.

Educated at Clongowes Wood College, D'Arcy helped the school win the Leinster Senior Cup in 1998. Capped for Ireland at Schools, Under-19 and 'A' level, the hard-running youngster was fast-tracked into the senior squad and made his debut as a replacement in a pool game against Romania at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

A dip form saw him lose his place at Leinster and he returned to play for the Irish Under-21s. Back in full fitness, a number of eye-catching displays for his province saw D'Arcy gain an international recall for the start of the 2004 Six Nations, ironically coming into the Ireland starting line-up for his injured provincial colleague Brian O'Driscoll.

Making up for lost time, D'Arcy was superb during the tournament with his first two Test tries helping Ireland to a Triple Crown-clinching win over Scotland. He was named the BBC Player of the Six Nations that year.

His 2004/05 season was cut short by a hamstring injury, but he played his part for the British & Irish Lions in their tour to New Zealand the following summer.

In 2006/2007 D'Arcy was one of Ireland's most effective players and was voted player of the championship by fas on Irish Rugby.ie. He has been hampered by imjury and suffered a broken arm against Italy in February 2008.