[4] He made his debut for Ireland on 10 February 1973 against England at Lansdowne Road and scored a try in a home win.
After only eight caps he was chosen to tour South Africa in 1974 with the British and Irish Lions,[5] playing as outside centre in all four Test matches, in which he scored one try.
[2] Unhappily the following year Milliken broke his leg and ankle together in a fairly meaningless" trial match.
[6] Following the injury he never regained his full athletic capabilities[7] and was unable to add to his 14 Irish caps.
Nevertheless, he continued to play rugby for his home town Bangor and captained the second team in the 1977/78 season.