With the dawn of the new rugby season upon us, it's all change with the provinces. Players have come and gone for various reasons, and young talent is getting older and pushing for more gametime.
We saw Garry Ringrose, Rory Scannell, and Matt Healy break out into the public consciousness last season, and this year will be no different. There will be players who you haven't really heard of take a step forward and become important parts of their team.
Here is one from each province that I'm backing to make a name for themself:
Munster: Jean Kleyn
It's hard to pick a name that will shine for Munster after last season when Rory Scannell made his breakthrough. Munster's team looks relatively settled in most areas, especially in the back-row now that Peter O'Mahony will return - but it's second row that seems most up in the air.
With Australian international Mark Chisholm still struggling with concussion, South African import Jean Kleyn will be counted on to provide some grunt with Donnacha Ryan.
The more I learn about Kleyn, the more excited I am. Handpicked by Erasmus to come to Munster, he's got an endless engine and seems perfectly suited for Munster's gameplan.
Sam Arnold is another I'm very excited to see.
Ulster: Lorcan Dow
One out of necessity and talent. Lorcan Dow is the best backrow product to come out of the Ulster academy since Stephen Ferris - that he's one of the few backrowers to graduate to the Ulster senior squad helps that cause.
But Dow has talent. He showed that with his monstrous displays for the Irish U20s two seasons ago. He made his Ulster debut late last season on his 21st birthday. Dow is a powerful number 8 who loves to run with the ball in hand. Ulster lost Nick Williams to Cardiff, and replaced him with Marcel Coetzee. Not only is Coetzee injured, but he's a very different player to Williams - and it could be that Dow is the man Ulster want to replace Williams' skillset. He might not get as much gametime as the other players on this list - but his time will come.
Leinster: Ross Molony
For someone who started in the Pro12 final, 22-year-old Ross Molony isn't yet a household name. He's got bundles of competition for gametime in Leinster's second row with Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney, Hayden Triggs, Ian Nagle and Devin Toner - but I'm backing him to cement himself as one of Leinster's first choice locks by the end of the season.
A highly intelligent player, who plays remarkably similar to Leo Cullen is a natural leader, a lineout technican, and very useful in the loose. He's got the highest ceiling of all of Leinster's locks - and he's earned a lot of trust from his performances last season.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a call-up to the Ireland squad - either for Canada in November, or as an extended non-playing member in the Six Nations.
Look for Luke McGrath, Dan Leavy, and James Tracey to have big seasons too.
Connacht: Peter Robb
Peter Robb should be the man to replace Robbie Henshaw in Connacht's midfield. He'll have competition from the returning Eoin Griffin - but Robb showed towards the end of last season that he's got a huge future.
Robb is a massive person. He's got the rare combination of size and skill - and with the Connacht coaches placing an emphasis on skills, he could be a rare and vital weapon for Connacht, and eventually Ireland.
One of Cian Kelleher or Ciaran Gaffney could have a big year too depending on which one is more trusted.
See Also: Another Talented Ireland U20 World Cup Finalist Doesn't Get A Contract, Highlighting The Difficulty Of Making It To The Pros
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