Marty Moore hoping Wasps switch won’t affect his Ireland chances

The 25-year-old tighthead is finally fit after six months battling hamstring trouble.

Marty Moore hoping Wasps switch won’t affect his Ireland chances

Marty Moore hopes moving to Wasps will not hinder his Test career with Ireland.

The 25-year-old tighthead is finally fit after six months battling hamstring trouble, and gearing up for the Aviva Premiership challenge.

Ireland's performance director David Nucifora has warned the country's top stars will be at a "disadvantage" for Test selection if plying their trade abroad.

Ian Madigan was overlooked for the summer's South Africa tour after joining Bordeaux, but ex-Leinster front-rower Moore hopes Ireland bosses look on his move to England more favourably.

"Ireland selection hasn't really been spoken of, with the fact I've been injured as well," Moore told Press Association Sport.

"So it hasn't come up, there haven't been chances where I've been playing and there's been a selection issue. It hasn't raised its head yet.

"But I think this is a great club and a great competition.

"And hopefully if I'm in a position where I'm playing for the club I'll be in just as good a position to put my hand up for selection internationally.

"I'm not a million miles away from Dublin at the moment. But we'll have to see how the season goes.

"I think I've just got to play my rugby week-in week-out here, and the rest is just up to who's in charge.

"I think England can maybe be viewed a little differently from France in perhaps the control, just what's expected week-in, week-out from the clubs.

"There's a little bit of that unknown with the French league at times, which isn't really there with the Premiership, especially now with the new RFU deal coming in now.

"It settles the mind a bit for coaches I think."

Wasps rugby director Dai Young insisted back in January that he expects no problems with Moore's availability for Ireland.

The former Wales prop pledged "we'll want Marty to play for his country" after Wasps had confirmed Moore's arrival from Leinster for the 2016/17 season.

Moore's decision to leave Leinster sparked reports of Irish bosses trying to persuade the former Castleknock College man into a change of heart.

But Moore now admits he had already hardened his resolve to seek a new challenge, in a bid to improve himself in what he considers a "baptism of fire".

"For me it was a pretty clear-cut decision," said Moore of leaving home province Leinster.

"There was a lot in the press at the time, will-he? won't-he?, but the decision had been made long before any of that came to the fore.

"The people that mattered knew what was going to happen.

"So I think it was a pretty clear-cut decision from myself at that stage.

"Yeah I suppose I'm not young any more but I'm not old either in terms of tighthead years.

"So to go and do this at this stage will stand to me as a player, hopefully I'll have plenty more years ahead of playing.

"The Premiership is a tough place to be as a front-row forward.

"Every week will be a big challenge up front and I'm looking forward to testing myself and learning a few new gems I suppose.

"I think it's a baptism of fire. It's not going to happen looking at video footage, it's by having good days and bad days.

"And it's generally the bad days that stand to you more.

"You can think you're a world-beater for a few weeks and then somebody comes along and turns your world upside down.

"So it's generally those days that give you a bit of a kick and show you what you need to be better at.

"It was the same last year with Leinster and previously with Six Nations, when you're exposed to a new level or a new player it kind of opens your eyes a little bit."

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