Day in the life of a new cap

It is the realisation of a dream. To play for your country is perhaps the ultimate accolade in a team sport and for Simon Easterby, one of Ireland's five new caps at Lansdowne Road last Saturday week against Scotland, it represented a treasured memory. So what is it like for a new cap? Simon reveals all . . .

The night before

"I was rooming with Kieron Dawson. We watched a bit of television, a comedy was on so it was very relaxing. I felt at ease, normally I am a lot worse than that. I was going to take a sleeping tablet but I didn't know how I was going to react to it. I slept well and woke in the morning feeling pretty fresh."

The morning

"We had a meeting at 10 a.m. I remember the day being so good, weather wise, compared to the Friday which was very blustery. Despite the late kick-off (4.0), time seemed to fly by. If I had more time to think I probably would have put more pressure on myself."

Early afternoon

"We watched a little bit of the Wales v Italy game and also some of the France v England, we kept flicking between the two. The adrenalin is going all day but once I saw the other teams playing, it kind of hits home what is coming up. The anticipation builds."

Getting the jersey

"We met just before we went down to Lansdowne Road at about 2.45 and the five new caps were presented with their jerseys. It was an amazing feeling. Your mind drifts and then you realise the enormity of the moment. You are now a privileged player."

The hotel lobby

"The hotel was buzzing, the crowd was in great spirits. You get clapped as you walk through the lobby and that is a special feeling. It sort of sets up the day. I stick a walkman on and just try and focus on what I am expected to do for the short bus ride. The whole thing, from getting your jersey to walking into the ground, pumps you up."

Walking the pitch

"You don't really appreciate the sheer size of the ground until the crowd starts building up. It's huge in itself but when the crowd are there, it's a different thing altogether. It's hard to explain the exact feeling. I suppose the first time that I noticed any nerves was when we walked out on the pitch for the warm-up. The atmosphere was bubbling and you're suddenly conscious of where you are."

The dressing-room

"I spoke to Guy (Easterby) before the match. He told me to be enthusiastic, not to go over the top, to stay in control. Warren (Gatland), Woody (Keith Wood) and Peter Clohessy said a few words. I was pumped up enough but what they said got you going even more. It was a good touch."

The Match

"Personally I was disappointed in a couple of things I didn't do, that I should have done, like missing a couple of tackles. Overall, the team won and that's the most important thing. The overriding memory is of the crowd singing. I spoke to Malcolm O'Kelly who has won 20 odd caps and he told me that he had never won a Five Nations game at Lansdowne Road."

Post-match

"The atmosphere was great. I, along with the other new caps, was a bit shocked. You didn't realise what you achieved or how lucky you were to be out there, winning in that style. We had a drink upstairs with all the players (Berkeley Court Hotel) which was a nice moment. We then went down for the meal and at least I remember receiving my cap, which I'm happy about. I think I got off lightly: an unforgettable day."