Edwin Edogbo's Ireland debut was short and sweet and the Munster lock is keen to gain as much experience as he can in his breakthrough season.
The 23-year-old, who missed two years due to injury before his October comeback, was introduced in the 70th minute of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations win over Italy with the visitors trailing by just seven points.
A huge cheer from the Aviva Stadium crowd greeted his introduction for James Ryan but there was work to be done.
Gonzalo Quesada's side threatened a first-ever championship win in Dublin, and the concession of a late penalty for hands in the ruck by the Corkman, which handed Italy a chance to draw level, could have put a dampener on his international bow.
However, there were plenty of positive contributions as his 6ft 5in and 127kg frame added ballast to a struggling scrum, while he was able to register eight tackles that held the Italians at bay.
"Good experience, obviously challenging first game and all that, trying to get my head around speed and the intensity of it, but happy with the win, happy with how the team performed," said Edogbo after the 20-13 win.
"It was an unbelievable experience [standing for the anthems].
"I was talking to one of my coaches back home [Cathal Sheridan] just during the week, he was like, just make sure you take a moment to plan for that.
"I tried my best but I there's nothing quite like it, singing the national anthem, so it was a pretty special moment.
"I think the main [memory of the day] would be leaving the Shelbourne on the way to the bus on the way here and just seeing the support in the hotel.
"Just people chanting, people saying 'good luck' and all that and just the amount of people that was there.
"I think something rare that you get to experience so, yeah, it was definitely a nice feeling."
On the late drama and that penalty, he said: "I suppose it's one of those situations where maybe you need to listen better... but I guess the referee's decision is what's important at the end of the day so a little learning for myself.
"We set out a big intent this week to front up and I think we did that extremely well.
"I think those are what you call the championship minutes, the last five minutes of your own 22 defending your own line and stuff like that and the team showed that today so it was very pleasing to see."
Head coach Andy Farrell was impressed by Edogbo (below) and simultaneously relieved that his debut didn't end under a dark cloud - as would have been the case if Italy had managed the late score which their overall performance deserved.
"I've given a few first caps in that dressing room when we've lost, it's not nice," said Farrell.
"It's not the feeling that those players deserve. We are delighted to give them a cap and it's how it should be given.
"[The penalty was] frustrating. He was told to get off the ball. He did and he still got penalised."
Many had expected Edogbo to see some action in the round one game against France but Farrell, whose side face England next Saturday (2.10pm, live on RTÉ), indicated that he felt the forward needed more time to get up to speed with the detail.
Edogbo added: "I think my main goal with this campaign - I've had a few chances with Faz [Andy Farrell] and a few chats with Paulie [O'Connell, forwards coach] - I just want to learn as much as possible.
"Obviously every player wants to play all the games but I understand that this is a normal situation, this is a very special place, a very privileged place to be and it takes time.
"I think Faz did an interview about how I need to find my feet and he's 100% right, there is an element of knowing the system, knowing your team-mates and ultimately international rugby is a different beast.
"I suppose I got a taste of that today and I know from that little block I had there, there's a lot of work to be done and I'm looking forward to it."
