John O'Sullivan talks to a man determined to leave no stone unturned in his role as Ireland team manager in Japan

He knew the position would become vacant, wanted the job and let it be known he wanted it. When the IRFU looked to fill the vacancy that arose as a result of Brian O'Brien's decision to step down as Ireland team manager after the Six Nations Championship, they turned to Joey Miles.

The affable Ulsterman was duly enlisted as team manager for Ireland's two-Test summer expedition to Japan, after which his commitment to the national team will finish. Having held the position with Ulster and Ireland A and become well versed in the demands of the job, Miles was a sensible choice.

His duties range from that of father confessor to that of logistics manager, taking in all points in between. He is the maintenance manager for the tour, ensuring harmony on and off the pitch.

It's definitely a labour of love because Miles had to use up every spare minute of his holiday entitlements provided by his employer, Shorts, for whom he works in the manufacturing sector.

He smiles: "I had to plan it (the time off) like a military campaign. They (the IRFU) know my situation because I have to fit it (the tour) around what I consider to be my real job. I was very keen to do it as I had done it at A level and at provincial level."

He gave up the Ulster job when the demands on his time became too onerous.

England have done away with the position of team manager, instead plumping for an administrative assistant, while Scotland and Wales, like Ireland, have remained faithful to tradition. Miles offers the following take on the job.

"It's basically a multifaceted role whereby you do everything to make a tour successful on and off the field. That encompasses anything that makes the tour run smoothly. On the rugby side you would have an input and be asked for your opinion on selection. You have a rugby side, an administration side and what I would describe as the ceremonial side.

"You are effectively the employer's representative with the employees. There is an official side of it as well. I suppose to try and sum it up, you've a responsibility to try and leave the players and coaches to what they do best, which is the rugby end of things.

"I have always been interested throughout my career in dealing with elite sportsmen. I was involved in athletics in Northern Ireland and am chairman of the Ulster (rugby) Academy. I get a kick out of dealing with them and try to get the best out of them."

Rugby was not Miles's first passion; his early devotion was to soccer, an understandable choice considering his father, John, was a Northern Ireland international. The young Miles first encountered rugby at school and then in the underage system at Malone.

"I got capped for Ulster as a 20-year-old and got sucked into that (sport) straight away. I took up athletics about the same time and did rugby in the winter and athletics in the summer.

"I was a 100-metre and 200-metre sprinter, getting an international vest for Northern Ireland."

That straight-line speed stood him in good stead on the wing, where he won most of his principal representative honours: 22 caps for Ulster, one for Ireland B and three final Irish trials.

He had the misfortune to find himself competing with Tom Grace in his early career and Freddie McLennan in the latter stages. Trevor Ringland eventually took his place on the Ulster team. His empathy with playing and managerial responsibilities allows him to discharge his duties in a sure-handed manner.

He is unequivocal about what he expects from Ireland tomorrow in Osaka.

"Some of the players may be off with the Lions but that doesn't diminish our standards. What we expect of them as professional players, what we expect of them in representing their country, is still there. Our aim is to win two Tests. We'd like to win in style and we'd like to showcase Irish rugby in a positive light.

"I think it is reasonable for people to have that level of expectation. Theoretically we should beat Japan and beat them well. That has been communicated to the players but they know that, because no matter what level there is still tremendous pride in the Irish jersey."

Miles's remit concludes when the team return home after the second Test in Tokyo on Sunday week. He hasn't given much thought to what the future may hold with the national team; he's far too busy living in the present.