Marshall thrilled to make Ireland debut alongside O’Driscoll

LUKE Marshall is relishing the prospect of playing alongside one of his boyhood rugby heroes when he makes his RBS Six Nations debut for Ireland on Sunday.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Feb 2013, 11:00 BST

The Ballymena man will make his first start for the men in green against Scotland at Murrayfield.

He will line up at centre alongside the man who has been one of the figureheads of Irish rugby over the past decade, Brian O’Driscoll.

“I’ve been watching Brian play since I was nine,” said the former Ballymena Academy pupil.

“I never thought this day would come

“I think he’ll have a calming influence because he’ll be able to take a bit of heat off me.”

Marshall, who played in last autumn’s non-cap international against Fiji, will win his first cap alongside his Ulster team-mate Paddy Jackson, who also makes his debut.