"Unbelievable Experience" - Edwin Edogbo reflects on Ireland debut as family surprised lock at training camp

Edogbo spoke to the media after the match, about how it was an incredible opportunity to answer Ireland's call and stand shoulder to shoulder with his international teammates.

"It was an unbelievable experience. I was talking to one of my coaches back home [Cathal Sheridan] just during the week, he was like, just make sure you take a moment to plan for that. I tried my best but there is nothing quite like singing the national anthem, it was a pretty special moment."

"[It was] Challenging first game and all that, trying to get my head around speed and the intensity of it, but happy with the win, happy with how the team performed."

Edogbo was hoping to make his Ireland debut back last November, having been named as a travelling reserve for the Autumn Nations trip to Chicago to take on the All Blacks. However, Edogbo fell at the final hurdle with an injury upon his final match for Munster of the proceeding URC block, with his Ireland debut made all the more sweeter having rallied back to form.

Edogbo exploded off the bench to a roar of support as he emptied the tank for an eleven minute shift to close out the match. Whilst the lock was ecstatic to experience the international stage, this brief taste of Test match rugby has only fueled his fire to get more minutes under his belt before too long.

"Having that roar and that support from the crowd was something special and something I don't think for granted." Edogbo said. "Everyone had the same message from me, 'just enjoy it, be calm, you worked hard for this' and I think that really helped".

"It's a different added pressure [coming off the bench]. But, the training we did during the week, prepped us for that moment. Coming into it of course it's going to be challenging and the lungs are going from moment go. We were pretty confident, we were't comfortable, but we knew what we needed to do to get the victory."

Edogbo expressed how he is utilising his inaugural taste of the Ireland camp as a golden opportunity to test the waters. The Munster star expressed how his mission for the Six Nations was to get a firm grasp upon Ireland's training systems, as he continues to break his way into the established squad.

"I think my main goal with this campaign, I've had a few chances with Faz [Andy Farrell] and a few chats with Paulie [Paul O'Connell], I just want to learn as much as possible. Every player wants to play all the games, but I understand that this isn't a normal situation. This is a very special place, a very privileged place to be and it takes time.

"I think Faz did an interview about how I need to find my feet and he's 100% right. There is an element of knowing the system, knowing your teammates and ultimately international rugby is a different beast and I suppose I got a taste of that today.I know from that little block I had there, there's a lot of work to be done and I'm looking forward to it."

In what could well have been down to pre-match nerves or an over eagerness to make an impact, Edogbo was immediately penalised upon coming onto the pitch for his debut. The lock was pinged for illegal work at the break-down, as referee Hollie Davidson laid down the law for a tough welcome to Test rugby.

"I suppose it's one of those situations where maybe I need to listen better. I thought I was [legal at the ruck] but I guess the referee's decision is what's important at the end of the day. So a little learning for myself."

Looking back upon the milestone day for the Munster man, and Edogbo shared how some of the most memorable moments came before he had even arrived at the Aviva Stadium. The debutant expressed how the pre-match journey through Dublin was a special one, as the team ventured from their team hotel and across the capital city

"The main one [memory] would be leaving the Shelbourne on the way to the bus on the way here and just seeing the support in the hotel. Just people chanting, people saying good luck and all that and just the amount of people that was there. I think something rare that you get to experience it was definitely a nice feeling."

There was a significant moment for Edogbo in the proceeding week at the Shelbourne, as the forward was presented with his Ireland jersey after being named in the match day 23 to take on Italy. Edogbo shared how his family travelled up to Dublin to share in the career landmark, as his Munster teammate Craig Casey presented Edogbo with his first green jersey.

"It was nice, I absolutely liked it, as Criag's one of the lads I know most in the squad. It's nice just hearing nice words from him. I've known him for a good while now and I know what kind of professional he is."

"Yes, the family surprised me coming up to Shelbourne for my jersey presentation and it was very special.
A few videos from home from a few of the boys [too] it was all a very nice experience."

"I suppose you can be quite focused on yourself and the team's form, so you don't really look outwards. But just seeing the smiles on their [family's] faces and the message they were sending came from the heart and it meant a lot."

Keeping it all things family orientated, Edwin is hopeful to see his younger brother Sean Edogbo follow in his international footsteps before too long. Sean stars in the back row for Munster, with the two Edogbo brothers proud to represent their home province having been born and raised in Cobh, County Cork.

"He's been there [Munster] for a little bit, but he's kind of really come to the forefront the last couple of weeks and look he's always a different beast and being completely honest with you. I'm really excited to see where he goes and I think everything going his way, with a bit of luck he could be in this spot as well very soon hopefully."

Cobh lit up the Belvelly Castle with a picture of their home-grown star, with Edogbo touched by much his community support him upon his journey to the Test match stage. The former Cobh Pirates star added;

"Yeah, that was unreal wasn't it? That was amazing, I didn't know they were going to do that, so that was pretty special as well. I've done a lot of these interviews, you know how much Cobh means to me.
"So for them to give me that little tribute was extra special."

1. Long, challenging injury comeback: Edogbo missed almost two full seasons (654 days) due to two ruptured Achilles tendons before finally returning to regular action for Munster — a rare, resilient comeback in professional rugby.