Sunday 18 June 2017 14:44, UK
Kieran Treadwell says the experience of making his debut for Ireland in their 50-22 Test win over Japan on Saturday is "hard to put into words" and admits he is "still in shock".
The 21-year-old Ulster lock replaced stalwart Devin Toner on the hour mark during the demolition of the Brave Blossoms at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka and laid down an early marker with an impressive display.
"It was an enjoyable experience," said Treadwell, who grew up in London but qualifies for Ireland through his Wexford-born mother.
"I can't really put it into words now. I'm still in a little bit of a shock but I was just honoured and privileged to get out there and put the shirt on.
"Obviously it was my first cap and I've got a lot of learning to do but it was a great experience to be out there with some of my heroes."
"To get out there and play and for the team to get the win was great."
Treadwell, who joined Ulster from Harlequins last summer having represented England at under-20 level, has been on Joe Schmidt's radar for a while and was drafted into a Christmas training camp at Ireland's base in Carton House.
Having watched his club team-mate Jacob Stockdale make a try-scoring debut in Ireland's 55-19 triumph against the United States in New Jersey the previous weekend, Treadwell followed in his footsteps with 20 minutes of graft from the bench on Saturday.
The forward became the seventh new cap on Ireland's summer tour after Schmidt blooded Stockdale, Rory Scannell, Rory O'Loughlin, Dave Heffernan, Andrew Porter and James Ryan over the past fortnight, with many Ireland players currently on British and Irish Lions duty.
"It is such a great team to be integrated into. They're really, really friendly and I felt like I was part of the team straight away," Treadwell said.
"Joe, Simon and Feeky (Greg Feek) have been a great help. Everyone is there to lend a hand. Anything you want, you just got to one of them and they'll answer any questions that you've got.
"It's just been a great experience. I'm finding it hard to put it into words."
Following emphatic wins over the Eagles and Japan in recent weeks, Ireland conclude their summer tour with a rematch against Jamie Joseph's side at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo next Saturday.
With a 20-minute cameo under his belt, Treadwell will be aiming to finish this month on a high as the youthful Ireland squad continue to build towards the 2019 World Cup.
"You only ever get a first cap once so I just went out there and played as hard as I could for as long as I could," he added.
"This is a learning experience for me. I just want to pick up everything like a sponge and just take everything I can - just try to make myself a better player and aim to get into the team next week."
