Ireland line up Massimo De Lutiis for shock allegiance switch - report

Ireland are weighing up a move for Irish-qualified Queensland Reds tighthead Massimo De Lutiis, with a report in Australia claiming the IRFU have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old.

The story was first broken over the weekend by Code Sport’s Jamie Pandaram, who revealed that Irish Rugby have been monitoring the uncapped Australia A prop who has been branded in some quarters as “Australia’s strongest footballer” after he benched over 200kg in 2024.

De Lutiis, who stands 6’2 and tips the scales at 126kg,  has spent time in Wallabies camps under Joe Schmidt, qualifies for Ireland through family heritage. In fact, he was so well regarded in Aussie rugby circles that he was invited to train with the Wallabies prior to making his Super Rugby Pacific debut.

Ireland’s propping stocks have been under immense strain of late, with a raft of injuries forcing Andy Farrell to play musical chairs with his front row over the Six Nations. The IRFU are understandably keen to add another prop card into the deck of the Irish system.

Multiple reports in Australia state that the interest is genuine and accelerating.

De Lutiis has only made limited appearances for the Reds, but his physical profile and age profile have made him a target for long-term development.

A shift north would see him follow a growing group of Irish-qualified players being scouted globally as the IRFU look to strengthen depth at key positions.

With Leinster’s Tadhg Furlong (33) and Connacht’s Finlay Bealham (34) nearing the end of their rugby union career, establishing Ireland’s next long-term tighthead star is certainly a priority for performance director David Humphreys.

Lions tourist Thomas Clarkson has emerged as the next cab off the rank, although he’s still some way off the finished article.

Munster, in particular, look lightly stocked at tighthead with injuries hitting their options, so they could prove a likely landing place for De Lutiis.

Samoa’s Michael Ala’alatoa’s short-term deal is ending, John Ryan is nearing retirement, Roman Salanoa is out long-term, and Oli Jager is struggling for fitness.

Their recent URC tour featured only two recognised No.3s, forcing inexperienced loosehead Kieran Ryan to cover tighthead.