Gordon D'Arcy

Gordon D'Arcy.

Age/Date of birth – 28 – 10th February 1980
Position – Centre/Wing
Height – 1.80m
Weight – 90kg
Test caps – Ireland – 37, British and Irish Lions – 1
Test debut – 15th October 1999
Test points – 20 – 4 tries
Current club/Playing history – Lansdowne, Leinster
Strengths – Absolutely world class in every aspect of his game and arguably the best inside centre in the game, D'Arcy's twinkling steps, electric pace and robust tackling have been revered around the world. Desperately unlucky to break an arm, with serious complications, in last year's Six Nations match against Italy and still making his way slowly back.
Weaknesses – A tendency to cut across his own backline or get isolated when running, and does not possess the best kicking game for a centre.
Headline(s) – Darse gets the arse! Arsey D'Arcy.
Honours in the game – Celtic League 2001, Triple Crown 2004, 2006, 2007
Did you know? – Capped at 20 years old, D'Arcy has suffered due to troublesome hamstring injuries, otherwise he would have 60 or 70 caps by now. Often living in BOD's shadow, he was Man-of-the-Match three consecutive times in Ireland's 2006 autumn internationals. Despite an injury plagued 2004-05 season, D'Arcy was named in the British and Irish Lions squad for their 2005 tour to New Zealand., but his performances during that tour were generally poor, and he reputedly refused to play in the final Test against New Zealand.