Ultan Dillane was a bundle of nerves before his international debut but the coach who gave him his breakthrough in Connacht never doubted he would make an impact with Pat Lam reckoning that the 22-year old looked at home on the big stage.
Lam gave Dillane his debut 13 months ago away to Leinster after Nigel Carolan brought him through the Connacht academy, and he believes he is destined for a great international career.
“I spoke to Ultan the night before and he was extremely nervous. I said to him that Test match rugby is the most enjoyable rugby you can have and it’s the easiest rugby you can play.
“It’s a nicer pitch, there’s a bigger crowd of course but you can’t control the crowd.
“Test match rugby is easier than here (Pro 12) you just have to do your job, there’s quality guys around you and it was great.
“I watched him come on and he did exactly what he does at the Sprtsground in a Connacht jersey.
“All he did was switch the jersey. He did what he’s been doing. I’m really proud of him, Robbie and Whitey. Although they didn’t get the result, certainly for those three guys, it was a great effort,” said Lam.
Dillane, whose father is from the Ivory Coast, was born in Paris, where he spent the first seven years of his life, before moving to Tralee in Co Kerry where his mother is from.
The lock has played 21 games for Connacht, starting just eleven matches, and his introduction on Saturday was the first time that Connacht had three Irish internationals on the field at the same time in the professional era.
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