There is no denying that David Clifford is one of the finest Irish athletes of his generation.
Some Gaelic football pundits already consider the Kerryman the greatest player of all time for his exploits in the green and gold over the past seven seasons.
Since debuting for Kerry in 2018, Clifford has won an All-Ireland, two Footballer of the Year awards, five All-Stars, and six Munster championships, all while cementing himself as one of the most prolific and skilful players the game has ever seen.
His reputation in Gaelic football is unquestionable. However, even Clifford's biggest fans would have been boggled by the confidence with which Tommy Bowe suggested he could walk into the Irish rugby team with adequate preparation.
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Tommy Bowe made massive claim on prospect of David Clifford playing rugby
Ireland conclude their series of Autumn Internationals this weekend with a mega reunion with former head coach Joe Schmidt.
After stints with Leinster, Ireland, and New Zealand, Schmidt took up the head coach position with Australia earlier this year. The 59-year-old has been tasked with turning the Wallabies' fortunes around, after their worst-ever performance at a World Cup last year.
Schmidt has brought new energy to the Australia squad, who claimed a memorable win at Twickenham with a youthful team earlier this month. The star of the show that day was Joseph Sua'ali'i - a 21-year-old playing his first ever game of adult rugby union, having switched from rugby league.
Speaking on their podcast The Offload ahead of Saturday's big game at the Aviva, ex-Ireland stars Tommy Bowe and Donncha O'Callaghan pondered whether the Boys in Green can take inspiration from their rivals Down Under in poaching from other sports.
The specific example of GAA was mentioned, with the pair pointing out that the hive of footballers in West Cork and hurlers in Limerick could be massive assets for Munster.
O'Callaghan said that the likes of Con O'Callaghan or Dean Rock would be the first he would have looked to snatch during Dublin's era of dominance - before putting forward David Clifford as the leading option.
Even having thrown Clifford's name into the mix, O'Callaghan was left baffled by Bowe's response.
Bowe: This is it, right. David Clifford, people talk about him being one of the greatest if not the greatest footballer of all time. He could do a job at centre.
DOC: Imagine him in the Munster centre...
Bowe: Munster?! We're talking Ireland here!
DOC: Hold on, hold on - you're not starting him ahead of Bundee Aki and Ringrose and Henshaw?!
Bowe: David Clifford, straight in - 13.
DOC: Straight in 13?! Tommy, you've lost it fella!
Bowe: Ah would you not? Honestly...obviously he's going to have to play a little bit and it's going to take a bit of time-
DOC: And learn the game! 'David, we didn't explain this to you, it's oval shape and it bounces funny.'
Bowe: But...imagine him - playing with Kerry at the minute and he loves it, so he's not going to be coming across to play rugby - but I mean if you think of the salaries that rugby players are making...surely the GAA lads must look at that and go, 'If I could take a year now and try and learn the rules, learn the odd-shaped ball, would you not give it a go?'
O'Callaghan agreed that GAA players could be tempted to switch should Irish rugby sides go in for them but he was left staggered by Bowe's confidence about David Clifford's potential as a rugby player.
As one of Ireland's leading athletes, there is every chance Clifford could make a tidy player should he ever choose to make the switch. However, supposing he would immediately walk into one of the most competitive positions in the Ireland team might just be a stretch too far.
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