debutant
/ˈdɛbjuːtɒ̃
/ /ˈdeɪɛbjuːtɒ̃/noun
A man making his first public appearance, especially in sport: [as modifier]: rarely in the history of the festival has a debutant director won the Palme d’Or...
- York Wasps were forced to field no fewer than seven debutants against league leaders Leigh last night and paid the price with the biggest home defeat in their history.
- Jim Leishman's team may be European debutants, but they were also the third-best side in Scotland last season.
- The back three work as a single entity and if a debutant full-back has an experienced mate alongside him, that can only help him.
Origin
Early 19th century: from French débutant 'leading off', from the verb débuter.