ISAAC BOSS' consistency with Ulster in his debut season, the 2005/06 campaign, saw him rewarded with a first Ireland call-up.

A scrum half heavy on commitment and skill, he made his Ulster debut against Connacht in October 2005 before quickly becoming first choice.

With a grandmother born in Glenarm, Co. Antrim, Boss, who can also play at full-back, linked up with Ulster having built a burgeoning reputation with Waikato (NPC) and the Hurricanes – he helped the Wellington side to the 2005 Super 12 semi-finals.

Educated at Forest View High and Waikato University and capped by the New Zealand Under-19s, Boss was a Celtic League winner with Ulster in 2005/06 and he ironically made his Ireland debut as a replacement against New Zealand in June of last year.

He was capped a further five times before he had undoubtedly his greatest moment in an Irish jersey when he scored the last try in Ireland's historic Croke Park win over England last February. He added his second Test try in the recent World Cup warm-up defeat to Scotland, and is set to stay with Ulster until 2010 having penned a new contract last April.