Eric Miller is set to become the most notable Irish international to return home in the professional era, which, if it comes to pass, may see him linking up with Ulster in the very near future.

The seven-times capped, 22-year-old number eight has almost become something of a forgotten man since his Herculean performances on the 1997 Lions summer tour of South Africa. A case of too much rugby too soon may have contributed to him becoming a less than regular starter for Leicester last season, and both his club and international career stalled further after Dean Richards took over as coach from Bob Dwyer towards the end of last season.

Leicester are now, reputedly, willing to place Miller on the transfer list, but although Harlequins have expressed an interest in the player, his transfer valuation within the English market may be too prohibitive for them. For both player and Leicester, a return to Ireland may be a more viable option.

The IRFU are keen for Miller to return home, and to that end negotiations are already taking place. With the union also no longer applying a rigid salary scale for international squad members, they are not so limited in their negotiating stance, and aside from which, the former Old Wesley player may also see this as a better international career option.

Miller pulled out of last season's trip to Paris with a virus, and so well did Victor Costello grab the opportunity, that Miller hasn't figured since, save for an 11-minute stint as a replacement against Wales.

With Miller also unavailable for this summer's Irish tour of South Africa, Costello cemented his standing as the Irish number eight even further, while Dion O Cuinneagain also emerged to stake his claim.

Given Costello is also the incumbent at Leinster, and another tourist to South Africa, Anthony Foley, is in situ with Munster, Miller's chances of rejuvenating his Irish international prospects following a move home would be best served by declaring his allegiance to Ulster - who are not particularly well-endowed in that position.

Nor would playing for Ulster prohibit Miller from joining a club in his native Dublin. Given the IRFU have relaxed their initial ruling that a returning English-based player must rejoin the Irish club he left, Miller would not be obliged to link up with Old Wesley again. A more likely destination is one of the Dublin first division clubs, namely Lansdowne, Clontarf or Blackrock.