Patient Robyn O’Connor the latest gem in exciting Ireland pipeline

The Old Belvedere wing has had to wait for her opportunity at Test level having signed a central professional contract with the IRFU in 2024.

Ireland's Robyn O’Connor celebrates with Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons and Emily Lane after she scores a try against Italy. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Robyn O’Connor announced herself on the international stage in style with a try on  her Ireland debut against Italy, the latest example of a blossoming pipeline of young talent that bodes well for the nation’s World Cup hopes in 2029.

Yet while the Old Belvedere wing is only 20, she has had to be more than patient to get her opportunity at Test level having signed a central professional contract with the IRFU in 2024. O’Connor, who started her rugby journey at Wexford Wanderers, has made impressive progress through the ranks from club to provincial to Celtic Challenge and also a spell with Ireland Sevens to her current status as the "pocket rocket" in Scott Bemand’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations squad now preparing to face France in Clermont this Saturday.

That she has done so with apparent ease and a heap of confidence was a point she reflected on last Saturday following a dream debut on her latest step up in class, in the 57-20 victory over Italy at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium.

“I see every new opportunity as a building block,” O’Connor said. “So came in, played with Leinster then got selected for Wolfhounds and then obviously I played a lot on the Sevens series last year, so each little moment gave me a bit of confidence and helped me get to where I am today.

“It's such a special day for me. I was so excited going out onto the pitch and then it was really special having my family there as well. It's just a very emotional day and I'm just beyond delighted.

“It's something I've worked towards for a very long time. It's just been a dream I've had since I was very young and it's just a pinch me moment, I suppose.” 

O’Connor’s comfort on the biggest stage was evident in the finish for her maiden try, an excellent show of poise, power and pace to create space for herself and round the last Italian defender for Ireland’s fourth try in the 23rd minute of a rampaging first half.

“I remember just there was loads of space out wide and I was chatting to Aoife (Dalton) for it and she gave me a lovely pass, like I wouldn't have been able to score without her pass so yeah, I was very happy.

“I was absolutely delighted with myself, and then all the girls came to celebrate with me. It was really special.” 

Ireland captain Erin King was equally delighted with her Old Belvedere, Leinster and Wolfhounds team-mate’s entrance into the Test arena, and nor was she surprised.

“Unbelievably proud of her. She really stepped up,” King said.

“No surprise, really. I've been playing with her for a few years. When she came to the Sevens squad, she got capped pretty soon after coming in and then as soon as she came into this squad, she's been unreal in training.

“It's like a little pocket rocket on the side. She just manages to go and I don't know how she does it sometimes. So, yeah, super impressed by her. She slotted in perfectly.

“She worked so hard in training and I'm so glad she got that try out there because it's what deserved. Yeah, I suppose the backs really got around her and helped her with everything she needed.

“We're a really tight-knit group. So, the whole 36 of us, big squad, we're all fighting for positions and Robyn came out and showed why she deserves to be on that pitch today, which is really impressive.”