O'Brien has 'a poise that I can't explain' - McWilliams excited by four new caps

Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams says there is "no pressure" on 18-year-old Dannah O'Brien, after handing the out-half a debut for Saturday's first tour match with Japan.

O'Brien is one of four debutants in the starting side for Saturday's first Test in Shizuoka, just two months on from completing her Leaving Cert, while she also featured for the Carlow footballers on their run to the All-Ireland Junior semi-finals this summer.

All four debutants come in the backline, with another teenager Aoife Dalton starting at outside centre, and Méabh Deely and Natasja Behan at full-back and right wing respectively.

Given Ireland's struggle to find a long-term option at out-half, O'Brien's selection is the most eye-catching, with the Tullow woman the 10th player to wear the Irish 10 shirt since 2018 alone.

"There's actually no pressure on her. Everything from here on in is a bonus," said McWilliams, when asked about the latest out-half prospect.

And the head coach was emphatic about O'Brien's potential: "We have an 18-year-old who has got a poise that I can't explain.

"I've been very lucky to coach at St. Michael's for a long period of time, coach the Leinster U19s for a number of years, coach Irish squads... you can just tell, people just have 'it'. And she has something that I think is very special.

"If you're 18 years of age coming over here to Japan, getting an opportunity to represent your country, I think it's a really exciting thing. I just can't wait to see these young girls play, but I also can't wait to see the more established players that have worked really hard since the Six Nations."

That praise was echoed by wing Aoife Doyle, who - like O'Brien - made her Ireland debut as an 18-year-old in 2015.

"You talk about people who