'It all feels full circle' - Oli Jager on Ireland debut

Oli Jager, the latest Ireland international, has a unique look.

With a moustache that would put Magnum P.I. to shame, images of the tighthead prop sporting a white bandage over his forehead conjure up comparisons with a World War I soldier taking a pause in the trenches, the image captured in grainy black and white.

A better similitude perhaps would be of a full-body portrait on a 1920s promotional poster for a title fight for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, with his two fists cocked up in that 'Queensbury Rules stance’.

The man standing after 20 rounds the winner.

Back in 2024, the former Crusader looks built for international rugby.

Standing 6ft 4in, and weighing 19st 11lbs, Jager (below) cuts a formidable figure.

"He's a big man, very low maintenance, a proper man's man, you know? The 'tache says it all!" said head coach Andy Farrell last week.

For the last 10 years the London-born, Kildare-raised, Blackrock College-schooled forward had been busy helping the Canterbury side to five Super Rugby titles.

Talks with Farrell when Ireland were in New Zealand in 2022 set the wheels in motion and Munster signed Jager last November, in a move that came about quicker than expected.

That’s been the most difficult part of the journey, returning home without home comforts.

"Coming over here away from his wife, his mum and dad are in Abu Dhabi, his wife is stuck in New Zealand," revealed Farrell after Ireland’s 31-7 win over Wales.

"She’s only been over for two weeks and in those two weeks we’ve had him in camp, out of camp, they’ve not had their dogs, they’ve had to go over to London to pick their dogs up out of quarantine.

"His wife has done that on her own. It’s been a rollercoaster ride.

"We’ve just given him his cap there