Jamie Osborne 'ready' for starting opportunity as attention turns to Fiji 

STARTING BERTH? Jamie Osborne poses for a portrait during an Ireland Rugby media conference. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jamie Osborne will be hoping Andy Farrell’s enthusiastic assessment of his impact off the bench against Argentina will translate into a first home start for Ireland when the head coach names his matchday team on Thursday afternoon.

The versatile 23-year-old who can play centre and full-back appears set for his fifth Test appearance this Saturday having debuted as a stand-in at number 15 for an Olympics-bound Hugo Keenan in the two-Test series against South Africa during the summer and slotting in as a midfield replacement in both of this month’s Autumn Nations Series matches at Aviva Stadium.

Head coach Farrell described Osborne’s 18-minute stint off the bench against the Pumas last Friday as “immense” as Ireland held out a string-finishing Argentine side and though the Leinster back was more modest in his own review, he said he was hopeful a starting role, either against Fiji or the following Saturday’s IRFU 150th Anniversary Test against Australia.

With Sam Prendergast, a debutant as fly-half cover for Jack Crowley in the 22-19 victory, also in the frame for a first start at number 10 against the Fijians, the Naas RFC product was on Tuesday keeping his fingers crossed to join his Leinster squad mate in the starting XV.

“From a personal point of view, I thought I had a decent enough impact on the game when I came on but obviously there’s definitely some other things I could have done better as well,” Osborne said.

“I think the goal for everyone is probably to start but I’ve been lucky to be involved as well the last couple of weeks. I’ve covered different positions as well which is good experience I suppose. Hopefully, I can get the start in one of the last two games anyway.” 

Ireland’s performance in rebounding from an opening defeat to New Zealand made for a welcome return to winning ways after the team’s 19-game winning run on home soil was brought to a shuddering halt by the All Blacks in 23-13 defeat but was something of a mixed bag in terms of consistency. 

Farrell’s side got off to a flying start with two tries inside five minutes and taking a 22-9 interval lead but failed to score past the 33rd minute and racking up 13 penalty concessions for the second Test in succession as well as two yellow cards.

“Argentina was definitely a step up from New Zealand in terms of how we attacked the game at the start,” Osborne said, “probably a bit inaccurate and ill-disciplined in the second half, but definitely an improvement and we’re hoping to improve again this week.

“Coming on at the same time as Sam, you both probably feel you have to come on and make an impact, bring energy to the team. I think that’s the expectation of the bench. 

"There were probably a few moments that we got our hands on the ball and were able to find a bit of space but we didn’t score points in the last 20 either so we need to work on finishing those moments off.” 

Getting the opportunity to play in front of friends and family these last two weeks has been special for Osborne, whose father Joe used to take him to Ireland games with his brother Andrew, a wing in the Leinster academy and the next oldest of five brothers.

“I remember my dad always used to bring us to games, myself and Andrew, when we were young. I suppose the memories, watching Ireland win were obviously the best ones.

“I remember some of the tough losses as well but it’s very special to be able to play in them now and have the family watch me play.” 

To his hopes of grabbing a start, Osborne added: "I feel ready if called upon.

"Hopefully now we have a couple of days training to get through, we'll find out the team Wednesday but if I am lucky enough to be selected I feel ready.

"It'd be amazing. They (my family) love going to all the games, they'll be excited."