WHEN 27 years old Michael Moylette runs out onto Twickenham's famous sod on Saturday it will be the realisation of a dream, a goal achieved, writes Terry Reilly.
For the 17 stone 6 ft. 4 ins. Baliina man has entertained the ambition ever since he made his appearance for the Irish Schools' team in 1977/'78, captained incidentally by Philip Matthews whom he teams up with again on Saturday in the forward division.
Said Michael yesterday: "I have always wanted to wear the Irish jersey at full representative level. Since my appearances with the 'B' team in '83 and '84, I knew I was on the fringe but it has taken me some time to make the breakthrough. Hopefully, I will live up to expectations in Twickenham. I am delighted to be chosen, delighted for Shannon, my club, and Ballina, my home town."
He attended Castleknock College where his appetite for the game was whetted, and he made the Irish Schools' team following impressive performances with his school. He began to play with Shannon while attending the Shannon Catering School, and has won three Munster Cup and two Munster League medals.
He also spent some time, while a trainee hotel manager, in Manchester where he gained valuable experience with the local club and played for part of a season in 1983 with the Napier Marist Club in Hawksbay, New Zealand.
The latter experience he rates highly, for in New Zealand the attitude to rugby is all-consuming. "Rugby there is like Gaelic, hurling, rugby and soccer all rolled into one . . . it's a religion and it was a most valuable experience for me," he said.
Michael, who now works in the family hotel in Ballina — Downhill — owned by his parents, Brian and Anne, travels once each week to Shannon for a training session and supplements his training by joining in sessions with Ballina Rugby Club.
He is rated by Shannon as an excellent scrummer and his presence in the second row for Ireland is his opportunity to claim a place as the forward sector undergoes rebuilding.
However, his attention is focussed no further than his first cap. "I am keeping my fingers crossed that I do well and don't disappoint all those who have faith in me," he said.
He is the third Ballina-bom player to gain international rugby status, the others being Dublin-based business consultant, Sean MacHale, who is a brother of Mayo State Solicitor, Liam MacHale, and former Army Captain, Ciaran Fitzgerald, who captained Ireland to Triple Crown success and also led the Lions.
Michael's father, Brian, was a noted interprovincial golfer and fine rugby player, winning Connacht senior cup and league medals with Baliina in 1951.
His parents plan to attend the game in Twickenham and he will have plenty of Mayo support, a number of special flights are flying out from Knock with followers from Westport, Ballina, Swinford and Castlebar aboard.
"I hope I won't let any of them down, I will be giving it my best shot," says Michael, who flies out to London on Thursday afternoon with the rest of the Irish squad.