Nathan White admitted he feared he would never realise his dream for Test match rugby during two injury-ridden spells.

Connacht’s tighthead prop became Ireland’s third oldest debutant of all time in Saturday’s 28-22 victory over Scotland in Dublin, then conceded he fretted his Test chance had passed him by.

New Zealand-born White was all set for his Test debut in Ireland’s autumn series in November, only to suffer an arm injury in training that then required surgery.

Head coach Joe Schmidt kept faith with the 33-year-old, however, and his impressive cameo off the bench on Saturday has boosted his chances of squeezing into Ireland’s World Cup squad.

“When I injured my arm back in November that was very disappointing, but then to get fit and injure my back, there were definitely a few demons,” said White.

“Connacht offered me a new contract though, so that really made me determined to get myself right and do right by them.

“And this opportunity came along, and that’s just great.

“I don’t know how many coaches would show the kind of faith that Joe has shown in me.

“He’s backed me and given me a crack, and it’s just fantastic to have had that chance.

“There were dark days in rehab but the carrot was always to be in the position to play in a game like this, so it’s great to have done it.”