Big year awaits: Tom Prydie

THEY say an Irishman’s best friend is his mammy. Leinster’s Auckland-born Isa Nacewa mightn’t have heard of the expression before his arrival two summers ago, but it’s one that he might certainly adhere to.

Last November the Nacewa family were graced by the birth of twin girls – Mia Rose and Ellie Milika – to outside-back Isa and his wife Simone, and visits by his mother-in-law, and now his mother, have certainly helped the transition from the simple life to the occasionally chaotic but wonderful world of family life.

Such is the joy that his daughters have brought him in just six short months that he couldn’t envisage life without them.

And if the amiable 27- year-old’s form this year is anything to go by, the stability and happiness they have provided, both professionally and privately, has enhanced the already high esteem in which Nacewa is held.

“I am loving life in Leinster and it is great that we’re approaching the final weekend of the calendar with a league title to play for,” he revealed earlier this week as the squad’s preparations for the Magners League Grand Final began.

“Motivation is never a question when you pull on the blue shirt. Take into account that we were playing against our biggest rivals in the semifinals of a knockout competition in front of a home crowd and you couldn’t ask for greater motivation than that.

“I was proud of the team’s performance because we stood tall defensively against Munster. Whenever you approach a team like them with the amount of talent that they have across the park, the important aspect is the physicality that you bring and there wasn’t that much of a margin between the two sides.”

Take the victory over Munster last weekend, when he readily flung his frame into larger bodies, taking hits and, importantly, making them at key moments.

Though he carved his reputation last year as a largely offensive weapon, his defence this year – allied to a 100pc kicking ratio in the recent bonus point victory over Edinburgh – strengthened the already held view that he is one of the most talented players to ever grace these shores.

Typically, he disregards any individual plaudits. With the all-round capabilities that the Ospreys will bring to the table in next weekend’s final, Nacewa knows that the familiarity of the two sides honed over several years of tense, close contests will demand an improved level of performance if they are to regain the Magners League title which the province lifted two years ago.

With some familiar faces set to descend on The RDS, Nacewa predicts a high-class fixture of international standard.

“I would know the likes of Marty Holah, Jerry Collins and Filo (Tiatia), having played them back in New Zealand and over here in recent years. They seem to be getting better and better and it will be a special game for Filo, especially, because it will be his last competitive game, so I’m sure they’ll come out (with) all guns blazing to send him off on a winning note.

“The Ospreys have international players right across their team. Obviously someone like Tommy (Bowe) has been in outstanding form for them all season and with players like Shane Williams, Dan Biggar, James Hook and Lee Byrne in such good form, we will have to play at a really high level to get the win.

“At this stage of the season it isn’t as much about the physical work that you get through because players in every team might be carrying niggles and minor knocks. It’s as much about how you prepare mentally.”

One of the drawbacks about plying your trade on the other side of the world is the inevitable occasional homesickness that creeps in. Nacewa has enjoyed spending time with his mother Barbara over the past few weeks and she will be returning home to Auckland on Sunday.

“It has been great having Mum around, and she has been a big help to Simone and I with the girls. “I didn’t come from a big rugby household. It’s just my three sisters, my brother and I, and none of them were into rugby before I started playing, but they have always been hugely supportive of me right throughout my career.

“From time to time it can be difficult living away from home, but once the season is over we’re heading home with the girls. Back to a New Zealand winter! Last summer we travelled around Europe, which was really good, but it’ll be nice to get home and spend a bit of time with our family.”

At tonight’s End of Season Leinster Awards Ball in the Burlington Hotel, representatives from every aspect of the game will celebrate another outstanding year for the province at all levels.

Nacewa regrets with a chuckle the timing, acknowledging that, like last year, the awards are being held a week before a major final.

Ask him who his candidate is for the major gong, he has no hesitation in suggesting Jamie Heaslip, or ‘Rocky’ as he is known by his teammates because of his outstanding form.

Nacewa believes that as the final hurdle approaches, the acclaim in which the departing coaches and players are held ensures that the larger squad are determined to give them the fitting send off that they deserve.

“It’s always a sad time when players and coaches move on, but that’s part and parcel of the game and just a part of life. Michael (Cheika) brought me to Leinster and I will forever be indebted to him for giving me the chance to play here. He has been a huge influence on my career.

“With Joe (Schmidt) coming in, who’s another coach with a young and enthusiastic mind for the game, it’s an exciting time for Leinster, but those are thoughts for the future.

“We all want to send off all of those great servants to the game in Leinster on a high. Right now it’s all about the Ospreys. We have great respect for them and they fully deserve to be in the final because they have been consistent for most of the season. They beat a strong Glasgow side in the semi finals and, with a trophy at stake, it will be our toughest test yet.”

The future couldn’t be further from Nacewa’s mind right now for he knows that the toughest test is imminent. In a sense, the time is now.

- Peter Breen

Wales recall: Andy Powell

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has named three uncapped players in a 27-man squad for June's Cardiff Test against world champions South Africa and the subsequent New Zealand tour.

The Scarlets trio of scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, hooker Ken Owens and flanker Rob McCusker all feature in Gatland's group.

And there is also a recall for Cardiff Blues back-row Andy Powell, who was kicked out of Wales' Six Nations squad earlier this season.

Powell was charged with driving a golf buggy while over the limit the morning after Wales' dramatic victory over Scotland in February.

Gatland, meanwhile, had already confirmed the absence of four players from next month's fixtures, with scrum-half Dwayne Peel and flanker Martyn Williams both being rested, while James Hook requires shoulder surgery and lock Luke Charteris has been troubled by a neck problem.

After tackling the Springboks, Wales face the All Blacks in Dunedin on June 19 and then Hamilton seven days later.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Blues prop John Yapp returns to the squad following injury, while 18-year-old Ospreys wing Tom Prydie, who became Wales' youngest international when he made his debut against Italy in March, also features.

"I am a great believer in 'if you are good enough you are old enough,' and that applies to the likes of both Tom and Tavis Knoyle," said Gatland.

"We have gone very much for continuity of selection and kept the squad small, but there are also a couple of youngsters in there who we are going to stick by.

"Tom will gain experience from being with us - Shane Williams and even Lee Byrne aren't going to be around forever - and he is someone who can cover those positions and who we are excited about.

"We are excited about Tavis as well. He is a big strong lad, someone who has been compared to Mike Phillips on the pitch.

"He has a good pass and some real speed and he has the frame there as well, so he has it all going for him and he has some real potential.

"Rob (McCusker) comes in as well with a real opportunity to move himself up the pecking order.

"He perhaps wouldn't have had the chance if Martyn had been with us or if Dan Lydiate at the Dragons had been fit, but he has an opportunity now.

"We have been impressed with his form for the Scarlets and he has played some sevens for Wales, and there is no doubting he has the pace and ability."

Gatland has also named an eight-man standby contingent that will train with Wales while they on home soil, and are then in line to be called up for the New Zealand tour should injuries occur.

Dragons trio Will Harries, Gavin Thomas and Jason Tovey join Blues pair Chris Czekaj and Rhys Thomas, Ospreys duo Ian Gough and Craig Mitchell and the Scarlets' Martyn Roberts on Gatland's back-up list.

Gatland added: "I've said all along that the best preparation for us (ahead of next year's World Cup) is to play the best teams, and they don't come much tougher than the Springboks and the All Blacks.

"We have an opportunity to start off on the right foot on June 5 with a victory.

"And, hopefully, by the time the World Cup comes around we will have a battle-hardened squad ready to achieve something special and we will look back and see that it all started here."

Wales Squad:

Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom Prydie (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Richie Rees (Cardiff Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets).

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Cardiff Blues), Brad Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).

The Ireland and Lions centre is out of contract this summer at Leinster.

And Sport of the World understands the Welsh side are planning an amazing transfer coup.

They were linked with Worcester's wantaway All-Black centre Sam Tuitupou, but have turned all their attention to landing Ireland's Grand Slam winner, who has already held talks with the ambitious Welsh region.

D'Arcy, 30, has spent his entire career in Dublin and lifted the Heineken Cup last season with Leinster.

But he has seen the success of Ireland team-mate Tommy Bowe since moving to the Liberty Stadium and is looking for a fresh move.

D'Arcy, capped 41 times, is a proven match-winner and has been one of the top centres in Europe for the past six years.

He formed a lethal partnership for club and country with Brian O'Driscoll and was Six Nations Player of the Tournament in Ireland's Triple Crown successes in 2004 and 2007.

He also twice toured with the Lions in 2005 and again in 2008 when he played alongside Ospreys' James Hook, Mike Phillips and Shane Williams.

It would be a major capture for the Welsh region to land such a prolific player as they look to build a squad capable of conquering Europe.

Under current rules, D'Arcy would take the overseas spot of Filo Tiatia, who is retiring and one of eight players set to leave the Ospreys this summer.

The decision by the Ospreys to chase another inside centre will also raise doubts over a possible return for Gavin Henson, who commanded the No12 jersey before taking leave following injury.