Fellow Cork man Zebo, who won 35 Ireland caps between 2012 and 2017 told RT\u00c9 Radio 1’s Inside Sport: “It is [a good news story].<\/p>\n
“It’s a huge boost for Edwin. He’s been through the ringer with injuries.<\/p>\n
“We used to travel, carpool up and down to Limerick every day when he had done his back-to-back Achilles injuries.<\/p>\n
![\"12](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0023e30b-614.jpg\"\/)
\nEdwin Edogbo has overcome two big injuries<\/p>\n
“I know how tough it was and I know the toll it took on him.<\/p>\n
“But you know what, it made him incredibly resilient and his mental strength is something else.<\/p>\n
“But we all know about his ability on the pitch, so it’s a real feel-good story and I’ve no doubt he will set the game alight when he comes on because, as Andy [Farrell] referenced, he is a massive man.”<\/p>\n
Edogbo stands 6ft 5in and weighs over 19 stone.<\/p>\n
“He is a mountain of a man and he takes some stopping,” continued Zebo.<\/p>\n
“So, fingers crossed he goes well.<\/p>\n
“It’s daunting going into your first international camp and Edwin’s pretty laid back and relaxed and he can be quiet at the best of times.<\/p>\n
“So, I’m sure they’ll bring the craic out of him and make him feel at home and there’s a great atmosphere and a great culture in that Irish squad.<\/p>\n
“So, no doubt he’ll be excelling, but it’s always going to be a nervy couple of weeks in anticipation for your first camp.”<\/p>\n
![\"23](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0023ca38-614.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Edogbo, whose younger brother S\u00e9an (above) made his senior Munster debut against Dragons last month, has spoken about his excitement at stepping up to the international stage.<\/p>\n
“It’ll mean everything,” the Cobh Pirates and UCC clubman told Irish Rugby TV.<\/p>\n
“I suppose representing my country at the highest level has been lifelong dream and it’ll be a moment of immense pride for me and my family and everyone who helped me get here.<\/p>\n
“When I called my mom, she was under a bit of pressure at work.<\/p>\n
“So she wanted to know the information as quickly as possible. So when I let her know, it was followed by a scream down the down the line.<\/p>\n
“But no, she was over the moon and very happy for me.<\/p>\n
“She’s been one of our biggest supporters, throughout when we first started playing, she’s always been there for the lifts for anything like that.<\/p>\n
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made six changes to the team to face Italy in round two of the #SixNations<\/a> #RTERugby<\/a> #RTESport<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ULP8A1vxqO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “And it’s been a great support system for S\u00e9an and I throughout our whole career.<\/p>\n “So it’s very special having her there on Saturday.<\/p>\n “I suppose if you would have asked me say a year ago, would I be making my debut here now, I probably would have said no way.<\/p>\n “But again, it’s testimony to everyone who helped me get back all the month staff on friends and family and everyone who supported me over that tough period.<\/p>\n “Cobh will always have a special place in my heart, and I suppose to be able to represent them is something that I’ll take very seriously and something that I’m very prideful about.”<\/p>\n \n Listen to the RT\u00c9 Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> or wherever you get your podcasts<\/a>, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie<\/p>\n