For one reason or another, it just hasn’t happened for Tom O’Toole on the international stage. Having made his debut in 2021 against the USA, the former Queensland Red would have hoped to have had more than five caps to his name before Saturday’s win over France.
But that didn’t deter the prop from delivering a barnstorming performance when introduced in the 62nd minute for Finlay Bealham.
O’Toole is effectively locked in a battle for the second place with Connacht’s Bealham on the tight-head depth chart as Tadhg Furlong is automatically first choice.
So, more than ever, O’Toole was determined on Saturday to make the minutes count.
"When you get in, and get on early, you just want to get involved. As a bench player you're watching the game, trying to pick out areas in which we could attack,” said O’Toole.
"Fortunately, I got it a few more times, I was just excited getting the ball and carrying as hard as I could.
“I had to step up for the team,” continued O’Toole whose stats return showed that he certainly more than stood up.
His eight carries for 52 metres in the final quarter represent a phenomenal return and as he explains, Saturday was his opportunity to showcase his talents as he aims to hold down a place in the matchday 23.
“It’s time to step up and show I’m capable at this level. Like, Tadhg [Furlong] is world-class and Finlay [Bealham] has done exceptionally well in the last couple of weeks coming into that role, so it was time for me to step up. That’s the stage I’m at in my career. It’s definitely time.
“I’ve been in the environment enough to know what I can add to the team and how I can help the team out. That’s all I really wanted to do, get an opportunity to show that I've been wanting to learn, eager to learn. Hopefully I showed that today.
“But it's just the start. There's plenty more work to do,” admitted O’Toole who thinks that learning from someone like Furlong can only improve his chances of adding to his international appearances.
“Being behind Tadhg has been class. He’s the best tighthead in the world, and his leadership within the team, he has a massive, massive role.
“As soon as he realised, he wasn’t fit to play, he just switched completely and wanted to help out in any way he could. He made sure I was ready across my detail, he’d go through stuff with me. He’s been absolutely exceptional.
