Instant hero.

Anyone that’s been watching Leinster Rugby play over the last few years would have known that there was a very good chance that James Lowe would have an immediate impact on the international scene.

It’s not often you see a guy go straight into a starting line-up days after becoming eligible, against World Cup semi-finalists in a major tournament, unless there’s something special about him.

And it didn’t take long. Within about 20 minutes the former Maori All Blacks winger had basically already achieved cult-hero status on the Emerald Isle. Suddenly Ireland were infinitely more entertaining.

Whether it was a chase, a lovely left-foot clearance, a big hit, a massive carry, a lovely offload or a little scrap off the ball – Lowe brought an intensity Irish fans have been crying out for.

He’s even made post-match interviews entertaining again, throwing the old cliches out the window.

“To play on the international level, to challenge yourself against the best – that’s the goal, that’s what you want to do,” Lowe told RTE after the game.

“And to be able to get a good performance out there against a very, very experienced back-three, you look across them there’s Lions caps, a fair few international caps and then they bring George North on and he goes into the centre!

“To be able to perform like that I’m bloody stoked. It’s been cool like.

“I was lucky because I had like three weeks of getting flogged, learning all the plays, really jumping into the environment, I knew myself I had a three/four-week build-up.”

The Leinsterman got a bit emotional then talking about his late try which was well-deserved.

“Nice meat pie then at the end yeah,” Lowe said.

“That whole… I just thought my family, my friends, everyone who gave me well wishes… it’s quite emotional man. It’s a funny one eh? But I’m absolutely stoked. That’s literally what I was thinking as soon as I put that ball down.

And in terms of the next game, Lowe is hoping he’ll get his chance against England.

“Don’t get me started there,” Lowe added.

That’s another beast, isn’t it? Away from home at Twickenham. If I get the opportunity to go out again I’ll put my best foot forward.