‘It’s what you dream of’ – Jamie Osborne ready to kick on after try on debut

The 22-year-old has been around the squad long enough to know that a debut was on the cards, but to win your first cap away to the world champions at such an iconic venue, out of position to boot, added an extra layer for the Naas native.

Throw in a try mid-way through the first half and it’s the stuff of dreams, even if the result didn’t go the way he wanted to and he was forced off with a groin injury early in the second half.

“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 said.

South Africa tour daily - July 8th

“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 was just really looking forward to it, 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 nothing something that I thought about too much. I was just really looking forward to the challenge of playing against the world champions.”

The try, he conceded, was the icing on the cake.

“It is the thing you dream of, it all happened very quick,” he said of Dan Sheehan’s offload and James Lowe’s superb strength to stay infield and pass inside for the onrushing full-back who reached out to score.

“I was probably juggling it [the ball] over the line as well. I was delighted, And delighted to see that Lowey stayed infield.”

It may have been a bolt from the blue when it broke on Wednesday night, but Osborne had plenty of notice that he’d be in the team.

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

“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 slept fine. I couldn’t wait for 5.0pm to come around.

“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.”

He recently played in a Champions Cup final so he’s used to elite rugby, but he admitted that Saturday was a step up.

“The physicality and speed, the Champions Cup final is up there, but it’s up another level from that. You probably get exposed that bit quicker. I really enjoyed it and hope that I can get back again,” he said.

And he’s hoping that his injury clears up in time to help the team level the series in Durban on Saturday..

“One hundred percent, we spoke at half-time, the first half wasn’t up to our standard, we didn’t impose ourselves on the game in the first half,” he said.

“We were a bit lucky to be still in it at half-time,” added Osborne.

“I thought the character the lads showed in the last 10-15 minutes; we let them in for a score but went back down and scored again, showed good character; there are a few small fix-ups that we can definitely improve for next week.”