Rugby wag Amy Huberman has landed a top role in a US comedy show after striking it lucky with her first transatlantic audition.

The sexy wife of Irish rugby ace Brian O’Driscoll announced the good news yesterday. She will play the female lead in NBC’s pilot show, Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood-based hottie Victoria Smurfit was one of the first to congratulate Amy on Twitter. Smurfit (38) said: “ You gorgeous legend!! Many sweet congrats xxx.”

The pilot programme centres around animal hospital vet Dr George Coleman, played by actor Justin Kirk, who loves animals but usually hates their owners. Huberman will play Dorothy, George's intelligent and beautiful ex girlfriend who is assigned to run the animal hospital.

The actress's co-star Kirk has been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his work on the silver screen. Huberman was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the annual Irish Film & TV Awards for her role in Stella Days which also starred veteran actor Martin Sheen.

Dustin the Turkey also cheekily congratulated Huberman on Twitter when he said: "Hey congrats @amyhuberman I hear you're doing an American pilot! Which airline? Dricco so open minded, fair play to him!" Huberman later re-tweeted the comments and wittily added: "That made me snort tea out my nose!"

Despite the big news, the actress and her husband kept their celebrations low-key as the former Irish skipper revealed on Twitter he had planned a very quiet weekend by watching the Ireland v France game at home and then going to his parents' house for Sunday dinner.