AKI’S MAKING STUART WAIT

BUNDEE AKI is expected to earn his first Ireland cap when Joe Schmidt names his team at lunchtime today.

Aki’s presence could provide the Irish backline with an exciting new dimension.

But there should be a ring of familiarity as well as he is poised to link up with his former provincial team-mate Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

Fellow centre Stuart Mccloskey (below) will most likely have to wait for the following Saturday, against Fiji, to bridge a 20-month gap from his first and last Ireland appearance.

Mccloskey, 23, faced a Test baptism of fire in Twickenham in March last year when an injury to

Jared Payne handed him his opportunity but tellingly he is still waiting for his second cap.

Joe Schmidt obviously believed the 6ft 4ins centre needed to make improvements to his game and recently there has been clear evidence that he has done so. “He has probably been frustrated over the last two seasons that he hasn’t had more time,” acknowledged Ulster colleague Iain Henderson.

“But centre is an extremely competitive position. Luke Marshall has been in for a good few caps, Stu Olding has been in, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, you’ve got a plethora of top quality players there.

“Now, you’ve got Bundee Irish qualified. That depth just drives the standards.

“When the lucky four of them get selected, they have to thrash it out in training - who’s going to put his hand up?

“Stuart has been playing very good rugby for Ulster. He’s doing what he does best, he’s an enormous, physical man.

“It’s the speed he carries the ball into the opposition’s defensive line that just causes havoc, especially when you get players coming around the corner on front foot ball.

“It’s very difficult to defend against when teams are constantly going backwards for two, three phases.”

IMPRESSIVE Aki in training this week