Sam Illo says he always believed he would be good enough to play for Ireland, even if he kept that dream quiet in the early stages of his career.
The Dublin native played U20 rugby for Ireland back in 2021 before signing for Connacht that summer, skipping the province’s academy and going straight to a senior contract.
Illo was one of two Connacht props to make their debuts off the bench in Saturday’s 36-20 win against Japan in Newcastle, with loosehead Billy Bohan also earning his first cap in the second half, but the provincial team-mates have had contrasting routes to Test rugby.
Bohan’s international debut comes after just over half a season of professional rugby, with the 20-year-old rapidly making a name for himself.
For Illo (25), the road to Test rugby has been slower and winding.
In his first four seasons at Connacht, the former Wesley College student played just 31 times, and had only started two games for the province, both of which came in the Challenge Cup.
All of that changed in 2025/26 as Illo featured 18 times for Connacht, starting 13 of them, and was picked ahead of Finlay Bealham and Jack Aungier down the business end of the season as Connacht returned to the URC play-offs.
“I can’t really describe it in words,” the tighthead prop (above) said after Saturday’s win against Japan.
“I’d say a dream come true. It’s everything I’ve always wanted to do – to play for Ireland.
“I’ve probably not made it publicly known, but I kept it to myself. I’m just happy with today, especially with the win as well.”
In the space of a year, Illo has gone from a fringe player at Connacht to an Ireland international, and he revealed the “turning point” his career took last summer, which inspired his best season yet.
“I wasn’t favoured as much with the previous management. And then Stu [Stuart Lancaster] took a gamble on me and I felt it paid off.
“A huge influence. He’s pushed me to the max. I can’t thank him enough.
“He’s driving me every training session, getting better, getting better, calling out my weaknesses to make sure I work on them as well. He’s just been huge for us. Not just for me, but for all the lads.
“From the get-go, he gave me a chance and I took it. And he’s kept me in there ever since, so it’s been going well.”
By the end of the season, he felt he was in the mix for a place in the Ireland squad.
Sam Illo stands alongside his fellow debutant and Connacht team-mate Billy Bohan for Ireland’s Call
“My performance was going well and I thought I was getting closer to it. But you never actually know before you hear it.
“I felt the way I was going this season in Connacht that I was edging closer and closer.”
In the days leading up to Saturday’s Nations Championship meeting with Japan, Illo had been put under the microscope by Japan coach Eddie Jones, who suggested that his team would “dominate” Ireland at the scrum in the second half, with Illo and Bohan both making their debuts, an Ulster hooker Tom Stewart still quite young in his Test career.
Those quotes became bulletin-board material, as revealed by Bohan on Saturday night. Both sides won a penalty apiece at the scrum during that period, and there was a good back-and-forth contest between the front rows, making for a draw on the scorecards.
Illo was asked about those comments from Jones on Saturday night, and in a moment of perfect timing, the Japan head coach happened to be walking by just as the Connacht prop was answering.
“I actually just spoke to him there about it,” Illo replied.
“I asked him about it. I was like, ‘Where did that comment come from? Was it a case of you just felt we were inexperienced or…”
“I was telling him how much I love him!” Jones interjected to the media scrum.
There was no disrespect between the pair, with Jones just playing up to his reputation as rugby’s chief mischief-maker.
And while Illo could laugh after the game, he says they still provided motivation.
“At the time I took it personally, Eddie.
“That’s something you take personally but afterwards it’s just rugby at the end of the day.”