'I am so happy that I got the nod for this game' - Byrne

SIX NATIONS: The day-glo smiles illuminated the room. Four players tried not to look ridiculously happy with only Simon Easterby managing to periodically muster a pensive expression. John Kelly, Shane Byrne and David Humphreys were less reticent in articulating their pleasure following being named in the Ireland team to play Italy in the Six Nations Championship game at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

The reasons may have been diverse. Kelly makes his Ireland debut on the right wing. Byrne is handed his first starting role in an Irish jersey, Humphreys is honoured with the captaincy of the national side for the first time and finally Easterby won his personal duel with Eric Miller for the number six jersey. There was a great deal to celebrate for the quartet.

Kelly conceded there was a certain paradox in relation to his international debut. At 27 years of age he can hardly be described as wet behind the ears in rugby-playing terms given his extensive experience for club and province, yet two weeks after being called onto the bench for the Scotland game he has been handed a starting role.

"I only made my first A-team appearance three seasons ago and it was just two weeks ago that I was first named in the 22. Now two weeks later I am in the first XV. It may have taken me a long time to reach a certain stage but from there it has been very quick in terms of being handed a starting role."

Kelly acknowledged that his versatility - he can play wing or centre - has been a double edged sword but concluded it was this "that got me into the 22 in the first place". Described as "Mr Dependability", a player who places the team-ethic above his individual goals, Kelly laughs at references that he is not a "flashy player", pointing out his sisters get great mileage out of this.

There was no contest in relation to the player with the broadest smile. Byrne admitted: "I am tickled pink. That's why I have been walking around with this stupid smile on my face since I found out this morning. It's absolutely fantastic and I can't wait for Saturday."

Having been called into an Ireland squad in 1993, Byrne's wait for a first cap - it came against Romania last season - would have taxed the patience of a saint and as the affable Blackrock College hooker would be the first to admit, that comparison would be wholly inappropriate.

Byrne prefers to dwell in the present. "Even if I had got capped at a young age I can't imagine it feeling any better than it does now. I am so happy that I got the nod for this game." He spoke briefly about the low points. "I suppose it was being dropped so many times and watching other fellas go ahead of you."

He's got there now and one senses he is not about to give back the jersey without a fight.

Conversation eventually turned to Humphreys, Ireland's new captain in succession to Mick Galwey. "I'm absolutely thrilled, surprised but thrilled. It is the biggest honour I have ever had. I found out about five minutes before the team was announced. It was fantastic.

"I never really thought about being captain because Keith (Wood) and Mick (Galwey) were around and there was no real need. I did captain the team (Ireland) before in a couple of Barbarians matches. The real strength in this team is that we have leaders in various positions so it makes the task easier."

Easterby's return to the starting line-up is a reward for both patience and a consistently high level of performance on limited opportunity. "Getting the nod ahead of a quality player like Eric Miller is a huge boost to the confidence. Eric was the form player coming into the Six Nations and deserved his starts. It is now up to me to make the most of this oportunity."

It is a sentiment with which all four could identify.