CONNORS THUNDER AMONGST SILENCE

WHEN even Johnny Sexton is thrown by the silence except for the anthems playing, you know it’s a big deal for the players.

The skipper admitted he mimed his way through most of it on Saturday, so self-conscious was he singing into the void at the Aviva Stadium.

Imagine, then, what it was like for the four Ireland debutants (below) lining up for Il Canto degli Italiani, then Amhran na bhfiann and finally Ireland’s Call.

“What will I remember? I suppose maybe the anthems and the silence,” admitted Will Connors.

“That was kind of difficult. As a young lad, you’re always in there and the place erupts when Amhran na bhfiann is playing. We’re trying to get the volume going there but you miss that. Everything was memorable.”

Connors’ man of the match (above) performance definitely was. While Hugo Keenan grabbed the headlines with his two-try salvo, the Leinster flanker was at his destructive best in defence and capped his debut with Ireland’s fourth try, securing the winning bonus point on the hour.

It also crowned a meteoric rise for the Kildare man in the space of a year.

“It’s unusual but I’m unbelievably grateful to even be out here,” the 23-year-old admitted. “It’s obviously a tough time for the country and people have to abide by legislation, stay at home. Being able to go out there, being able to express ourselves, was extra special.

“I suppose not having people clap you out and stuff is tough because everyone wants to be here driving the team on. It is difficult in that aspect but it was still incredibly special.”

Connors admits he was surprised that Andy Farrell selected him for his first squad get-together, the brief Christmas camp last year.

“He was just telling me to be confident,” he recalled. “The coaching staff tell me to just go out there and back myself.

“Faz said the same kind of stuff, he just wants everyone to enjoy it, express themselves and show why they’re there.”