GARRY RINGROSE HAS become a key player in the Ireland team over the past couple of years.
Touted as the country’s next big star and a potential heir to Brian O’Driscoll’s throne from an early age, the Leinster product was unused substitute when Joe Schmidt’s side ended a 111-year wait to beat the All Blacks at Soldier Field on 5 November, 2016.
The Ireland head coach was “almost apologetic” to the centre for not selecting him that day, but then handed the 21-year-old his senior debut against Canada the following week.
Just days later, Ringrose was thrown in at the deep end — named at 12 for the visit of Australia to the Aviva Stadium.
“I had played once or twice before at 12, but it wasn’t something I was used to,” Ringrose says, in the third episode of Gillette Pressure Points.
“But there’s an expectation that if you’re playing in the centre, you have to deliver at 12 or 13 and know the roles. So I was presented with that challenge.”
Under considerable pressure to perform and justify his selection, he produced a moment to magic to score his first international try in a 27-24 home victory.
It’s a moment I’ll cherish, and it’s something that’s incredibly special to me, my family and friends,” he adds.
“I was used to going to games, watching matches and looking up to the guys out there. To find myself actually scoring a try was a pretty cool experience at the time.
“I probably lost my concentration for 10 or 15 seconds as I couldn’t believe I had done it.”
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