'I thought I'd get two minutes at the end' - O'Brien looks back on whirlwind debut

As debuts go, it's hard to think of one as hectic as Jimmy O'Brien's.

Had everything gone according to plan for Andy Farrell, the Leinster back wouldn't even have played at the Aviva last night, but best laid plans are only that.

Initially named to the wing for Ireland A's meeting with the All Blacks XV on Friday night, a Robbie Henshaw injury that morning saw him promoted to the top team, albeit as a replacement.

Stuart McCloskey had taken Henshaw's place in the starting team, but the Ulster centre's return to Test rugby was cruelly ended after just 28 minutes when he injured his shoulder, after what had been an impressive showing in the Irish midfield.

Even then, O'Brien admits it was a surprise to get the call to tog out.

"Thank god we won because it would have made it a lot worse, I wouldn't be celebrating half as much," he said, having helped Ireland to a 19-16 win against the world champions.

"I'm just delighted to get my first cap, I thought I'd get two minutes at the end so to get most of the game and win is amazing."

The Kildare man showed his versatility by slotting in at outside centre, with the majority of his gametime at Leinster coming at either full-back or wing.

He looked calm in the thick of what was a ferocious game of rugby, playing a part in Mack Hansen's try in the second half, while he also stood up to the physical challenge with a vital one-on-one tackle on Eben Etzebeth in his own 22.

Looks can sometimes be deceiving, with Johnny Sexton telling reporters after the game that his Leinster teammate admitted he was "sh*****g it" when he got the call to come on just before the half-hour mark.

And when presented with the charge, O'Brien says his captain may have been embellishing things, if only a little.

"I think