‘It’s the thing you dream of’ – Osborne on his debut

In the end, the Jamie Osborne experiment never even looked like an experiment.

While a debut on this tour for the Leinster 22-year-old wasn’t a far-fetched idea, nobody outside of the Irish camp could have called it coming at full-back.

It was a bold call to put Osborne in for his Irish debut on Saturday, particularly against a team like South Africa, and at a stadium like Loftus Versfeld.

Add in the fact that Osborne has played just two of his 48 games for Leinster in the 15 shirt, and there would have been major questions for Andy Farrell to answer had it backfired.

Ireland ultimately lost to the Springboks, but Osborne looked assured and comfortable in the backfield.

“To be honest I was just really looking forward to it,” he said after Saturday’s game in Pretoria.

“I didn’t think too much about not having played full-back in a while because, even during the year with Leinster, I was down to cover full-back in training a lot.

“It’s not something that I thought about too much, I was just really looking forward to the challenge of playing against the world champions.”

It wasn’t a perfect display. He was side-stepped by Kurt-Lee Arendse for South Africa’s opening try, although he’d been hung out to dry by the defensive line which allowed the Boks break down the right wing.

There was also the clearing kick down the right touchline which he probably should have left go out of play, but the nuts and bolts of the performance was what Farrell would have wanted.

South Africa tested him with some early contestable kicks, which he dealt with excellently under pressure, while he made sure it would be a debut to remember when he dived over to score Ireland’s opening try late in the first half.

“It’s the thing you dream of, it all happened very quick, and I was probably juggling it [the ball] over the line as well.

“I was delighted, and delighted to see that Lowey [James Lowe] stayed infield.

“To be fair, playing full-back, when you are coming down to South Africa, you are going to experience plenty of high balls and kicks.

“I was happy with some of my aerial stuff and then [Cheslin] Kolbe’s kick was a bit disappointing. I felt like the touches I got, I was happy enough.

“I am extremely proud to have played for my country. Obviously, it is tough to lose, the lads have made the week very special for me. I have enjoyed the week, enjoyed the match despite the result,” he added.

A groin injury limited him to just 50 minutes before being replaced by Ciarán Frawley, although Osborne (above) is confident he’ll be available to play this week’s second Test in Durban.

If he does manage to shake off the minor injury, there’s every chance he’ll get a second cap this Saturday, based on the review from his head coach.

“I thought Jamie was good, he came off with a groin injury and that’s unfortunate for him,” Farrell said.

“He’s got some presence in the air, hasn’t he?

“He’s athletic, he’s big and when the team’s on the back foot in the first half it is difficult for him. When the team’s on the front-foot it’s easier for everyone, especially guys like Jamie who are very good on the front foot, playing with ball in hand.”

Having served a long apprenticeship in Irish squads in recent seasons, the Naas man admits he was pleased to get his debut nerves out of the way.

“I found out that I was starting on Tuesday, the team was announced on Wednesday, Thursday night was my jersey presentation and Garry [Ringrose] said a few words.

“Unfortunately my family weren’t able to make it over. The lads got them up on Facetime and there was a lot of good luck messages, and other messages that were shown in the team meeting. It was very special.

“I probably get nervous for every match I play. I was really excited, it was mainly excitement and the nerves that come with it.

“I took a moment in the anthems to soak it all in. It probably hasn’t sunk in yet. I am sure in the next couple of days it will sink in.

“I was proud to represent Ireland, where I come from, and the people close to me, my family and friends.”