Cormac Izuchukwu says phoning his mother to tell her of his first call-up to the Ireland squad made the achievement even more sweet.
The 24-year-old Ulster forward was named in Andy Farrell’s 35-player panel for the upcoming two-Test tour of South Africa.
Ireland face the back-to-back World Cup winners in the opener in Pretoria on Saturday 6 July, with a second meeting to follow seven days later.
“To be even considered for Ireland is unbelievable and when I got the email [to confirm his place] I was over the moon,” the Tullamore man said at a press conference on Monday.
“I phoned my mam and it was genuinely one of the best phone calls I’ve ever had – hearing how happy she was with me, that was all worth it.”
A strong finish to the season earned Izuchukwu, who can play at lock and back row, a place on the plane to South Africa.