Irish Rugby's newest debutant Oli Jager has taken perhaps the most unconventional route to playing in the Aviva Stadium we've seen. So after finally making his debut in Ireland's bonus point win over Wales yesterday, an emotional Jager struggled to contain his delight, heaping praise on the Irish fans.
Ireland's newest tight-head prop has certainly taken a longer route to the Irish camp than most. Born to an Irish mother and a Dutch Father in London, Jager moved to Ireland at three years of age, before spending time at Newbridge College and then winning a Leinster Senior Cup alongside Garry Ringrose with Blackrock.
However, that Senior Cup win marked the end of Oli Jager's time in Ireland as he packed his bags for New Zealand. The tighthead then slogged it out in the Crusader's academy and in lower-tier New Zealand Rugby before earning a Crusader's contract in 2017.
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Jager made the move back to Munster late last year and after impressing in Limerick was called up to the Irish squad. The Munster man then beat an inform Finlay Bealham into the 23-man panel over as Ireland cruised to a 31-7 win over Wales.
Debutant Oli Jager lauds Irish fans in emotional interview
🗣️ "I can't put it into words how good this feels."
What a day for Oli! 🙌#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/Mo0kzX78tp— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 25, 2024
Jager who replaced Andrew Porter with 26 minutes to play delivered an emotional interview to Irish Rugby describing the pride he had pulling the Irish jersey on.
I don't know if I can put it (my debut) into words, proud, surreal, yeah I can't put it into words how good this feels. It's just given me a taste of International footy now so aw jeez I'm already looking forward to the next one. Just gotta put my head down and get ready for it and try my best to put my name forward.
Oli Jager who was lining out for Ireland in front of a packed out Aviva Stadium for the first time, was impressed with the Irish fans, marking the atmosphere right up there as the best in Europe.
I don't think there's a better stadium in Europe for the crowd, and our fans, just the noise that they make coming in and out to the game, it's fantastic I couldn't think of a better place to play.
While Jager certainly impressed in his debut against a frankly deflated Welsh side, he'll have his work cut out for him if he's to dethrone either Porter or Bealham ahead of Ireland's trip to Twickenham in two weeks, who are both regarded as two of the top tight heads playing at the moment.
Could we be looking at another great internal rivalry unfolding in Irish rugby? Only time will tell.
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