Johnny Watterson talks to the three new caps who can't wait to hit the field running on Sunday
If there could be anything as refreshing as Ireland's first half against Australia, Eddie O'Sullivan presented it yesterday. Not one to bow to media demands or criticisms, O'Sullivan assembled a team full of promise and youth. Not that anyone is tiring of the first-choice set-up, but for once there wasn't a quibble among notorious quibblers.
A self-confessed conservative when it comes to winning rugby matches with tried and trusted names, yesterday's unveiling of a team sparkling with potential marked a new departure for the coach. With confidence, one presumes, comes more confidence.
His players have strengthened O'Sullivan's hand and he will dish out new caps to Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris, while Paddy Wallace steps into the outhalf position with just one cap behind him.
Ferris, the Ulster openside flanker, will provide fodder for quiz maestros for years to come. He will play his first match of any kind in the current Lansdowne Road and, of course, given the imminent destruction of the stadium, it will also be the last .
Fitzgerald grew up admiring Brian O'Driscoll. Now he's just a pass away from the Irish captain. Ferris, like the young Leinster wing, has also come flashing into the rugby firmament, while Heaslip has served a short but impressive apprenticeship.
When O'Driscoll was making his debut in Ballymore, Brisbane, as a 20-year-old, Fitzgerald (19) hadn't even done his junior cert and will have to pass up on attending his girlfriend's debs on Saturday night. Ferris, now just 21 years old, wasn't far in front, and Heaslip, now 23, was also adhering to a school timetable.
"I was thinking I can't believe I'm playing against Dan Herbert and Tim Horan," was O'Driscoll's memories at lining out for his first international. "It was a strange feeling. Similarly I was capped with two other guys, Tom Tierney and Matt Mostyn. It was a massive amount of excitement. It passes you by very quickly. It does fly by. I remember not feeling nervous at all. Then, when Australia ran out, fireworks went off - that's probably when the nerves kicked in. But it's really an exciting time in someone's life. It's a big opportunity for them."
Over the past six months Ferris has shot into the public consciousness with regular outstanding displays with Ulster. Incredibly strong and mobile, the Dungannon player is eye-catching. "Six months ago, a year ago I started playing well, started getting regular starts and matured more. To get the Irish call-up a few weeks ago was a wee bit of a shock," he said.
Fitzgerald, too, didn't see what was coming down the road. Having left school last May, holding down a Leinster position was his first imperative. "I can't say that I saw it coming, to be honest. I was delighted to get the call up," he said.
"I'm just delighted to be here. It's great to get an opportunity to play with some of the best players in the world. Yeah, it's happened very quickly and I'm just enjoying it."
For Heaslip, the road has been a little longer and O'Sullivan has sat on the decision for more than one long lunch. But again, his ball-carrying and work behind the scrum for Michael Cheika has been enough to warrant inclusion in a savage position.
"I've been working hard for the last year when I broke into Leinster. It's great to get the call, especially into the Irish back row that Ireland have . . . the depth. I'm delighted to come in and show my trade a little bit," said the Clontarf player, who looked to former Ireland and Connacht wing Simon Geoghegan when he was growing up.
For Fitzgerald, he never had to look too far from home for role models. O'Driscoll, with all of his flashing skills and fully-rounded game, was the schoolboy's idol. No, not his Triple Crown-winning dad and Irish prop, Des. "The current Irish captain is the player I looked up to, I'd have to say," said Fitzgerald. "He's just a fabulous player."
For the three, it is the starting point, and, as O'Driscoll said, it's full of promise. The mix of heavily experienced players alongside them should help keep Ireland playing to their shape, but with the Six Nations Championship and World Cup coming up over the next 10 months, there is everything to play for.
"I wouldn't get carried away and look that far ahead," says Heaslip about the World Cup. "All I can do is plan for the game on Sunday and get my head on. I'd love to be in the selection but I'm going to have to play well on Sunday and for Leinster for the rest of the season. I'll have to play well in those games, but Sunday is my main concern."
And with that Fitzgerald's head nodded in agreement, the head of Ferris too. It was really no day for grilling the green horns but sharing their anticipation, their barely constrained impatience to get their hands on the ball. It will be a long four days.
Jamie Heaslip
Position: Number eight
Club: Clontarf FC
Province: Leinster
School: Newbridge College
Date of Birth: 15/12/1983
Height: 6ft 3ins
Weight: 109kg
Luke Fitzgerald
Position: Full Back/Wing
Club: Blackrock College RFC
Province: Leinster
School: Blackrock College
Date of Birth: 13/9/1987
Height: 6ft 1ins
Weight: 86kg
Stephen Ferris
Position: Flanker
Club: Dungannon
Province: Ulster
School: Friends, Lisburn
Date of Birth: 2/8/1985
Height: 6ft 4ins
Weight: 110kg
