It was a long-awaited special day for Edwin Edogbo on Saturday, as the Munster man finally made his Ireland debut.
Edogbo replaced James Ryan with 11 minutes remaining of Ireland’s nervy win over Italy, a moment long in the making for the lock.
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The 23-year-old has been to hell and back over the past few seasons, spending almost two years on the sidelines after picking up an Achilles injury against Leinster over Christmas in 2023.
Even after returning with a bang for Munster this season, and earning a place in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the November internationals, Edogbo was forced to withdraw through another injury.
All of that made his debut on Saturday an especially emotional one, and he received the warmest reception from the Irish fans in attendance at the Aviva Stadium.
In the post-match press conference, Andy Farrell’s remarks on Edogbo spoke volumes about how special a moment it was for the Ireland camp.
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Ireland camp full of love for debutant Edwin Edogbo
14 February 2026; President of Ireland Catherine Connolly meets Edwin Edogbo of Ireland before the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
In his press conference after Ireland beat Italy in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, Andy Farrell was asked how his Ireland team would prepare between now and next week’s daunting task in Twickenham.
His response revealed his first priority in the coming hours and days, and spoke volumes about how powerful a moment Edwin Edogbo’s debut had been for the whole group.
“We need to celebrate Edwin’s first cap, that’s for sure,” Farrell said in response to a question on what the next week would look like for Ireland.
It’s one hell of a story. I’m so pleased that we’re able to get a win and show some fight to be able to get a win for him.
His story is a phenomenal one, so we’ll celebrate that with him.
His sentiments were echoed by Stuart McCloskey, who was superb on a day when Ireland stuttered against a determined Italian side.
“It’s always an amazing occasion,” McCloskey said of Ireland’s debutants – his Ulster teammates Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune also made their Six Nations bows.
“I was in there with Jack [Crowley], and Jack was saying about Edwin having his first cap. When you’ve been around so long, you sort of forget how amazing it is to get your first cap.
“It sort of brings it back to you that, those days, it takes me back to my first cap against England at Twickenham and how special it was. It was great getting his family in the other night as well and seeing how special it was for them.
“I hope he enjoys tonight, I hope his family enjoy tonight as well. It boosts everybody.”
A truly special day for Edwin Edogbo and his family, and it seems as though the rest of the Ireland squad intend on celebrating the Munster star this evening.
He will hope he has done enough to secure a place in Andy Farrell’s matchday 23 for next weekend’s trip to Twickenham.
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
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