Bealham delight at sharing Ireland debut with Connacht pals

The prop was called into the matchday squad for Ireland's game against Italy after Cian Healy was ruled out of the Six Nations clash with a hamstring injury.

And an appearance off the bench duly arrived on 65 minutes as a replacement for Jack McGrath at loosehead prop.

Bealham was one of five players in the squad from the GUINNESS PRO12 leaders alongside Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion and Robbie Henshaw.

And with Ireland having recorded a comfortable 58-15 victory, Bealham revealed it had been a special moment for the Connacht players.

"If you told me (at the start of the season) that five of us (Ultan Dillane, Nathan White, Kieran Marmion and Robbie Henshaw) would be playing a Six Nations game against Italy I don't know what I would have told you," Bealham told the Irish Times.

"We didn't say too much at the end, we just all looked at each other and had a big smile.

"We were all thinking the same thing, really humbled and just really happy we were all there. Hopefully some more lads will come in in the future."

To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12.