"There wasn't a ruck he came out of, where he didn't have the head up, ball in hand."
It'll not surprise many to hear those words uttered about Ireland U20 captain David Hawkshaw, but it may surprise a few from whence they came.
The Leinster half-back will lead Noel McNamara's unbeaten youngsters onto the Stadio del Rugby Fassini turf, in Rieti, to face Italy on Friday night, as the boys in green look to extend their advantage at the top of the U20 Six Nations table.
After that heart-stopping come from behind victory against England in Cork on the opening weekend, Hawkshaw and his teammates overcame treacherous weather conditions and a bruising Scottish pack to return home from Netherdale with another four points. It was a result that has left them in splendid isolation at the head of affairs.
St Brigid's GAA club man Johnny McGuirk knows Hawkshaw as well as most. Having coached the prodigious sporting talent out in Castleknock when the child Hawkshaw was making waves on the underage Dublin hurling scene, he oversaw the former Belvedere schoolboy's finest stick-in-hand moment, managing Dublin Minors to the 2016 Leinster Minor crown.
Hawkshaw's natural propensity to run things was evident from an early age chuckled McGuirk.
I took him right through with the club, from U-10 right through to Senior level and from a child, one word springs to mind - leader! It's of no surprise to anyone who knows him that he's captaining that rugby team.
On the pitch he led by example. He put everything into his game. He trained hard and always had a great attitude. Whatever he was asked to do he did.
McGuirk was often left slackjawed at the fledgeling's love for physicality, but that by no means was the only string to the developing Hawkshaw's bow.
"Outside of the physicality, what made David stand out was his versatility. He would be the man to carry out whatever job was needed", pointed out the Brigid's man.
"He was so diverse. You could put him in the back line to man mark a fella and he'd do a job for you. But ultimately, because of his drive and his bravery, you could throw him in at full-forward and he would grab you a few scores. He was quick too, so he was the sort of guy you could play anywhere."
It's a trait that hasn't gone unnoticed within the Ireland camp either. The skipper, who has made a name for himself at out-half throughout much of his academy career, has reverted to an inside centre role in the green of the country, forging a sumptuous backline partnership with Liam Turner on his outside and kicking sensation Harry Byrne at number 10.
Speaking to us at the Ireland U20 squad announcement at PwC prior to the England game, Hawkshaw spoke of getting a roasting from Cuala legend David Treacey when he was thrown into the fray of a Dublin Senior Championship quarter-final back in 2017. It was to be the youngsters last hurling appearance.
It proved a bitter-sweet moment for McGuirk and all involved at the Navan Road club.
More time at the rugby, meant less time at the hurling and he knew himself that something had to give after we went down to Cuala in that championship. We were beginning to really push on with the hurling, and we put it to him about giving us more commitment, we more or less knew that would be the end of things.
Who could blame him? He has a fantastic chance of grafting a career for himself in rugby. I would fully expect him to break into the senior international side before too long.
Despite their disappointment, McGuirk revealed that those at the club still keep a keen eye on their former starlet and will be tuned in this weekend, and for the crunch tie against a French side in Cork in two weeks time. A side that thwarted McNamara's charges at last summer's World Cup.
"At the end of the day, we know him. We can drop him an odd text to wish him good luck before a game. He's a great operator and we all wish him every success."
Hawkshaw could well line out beside deputy Craig Casey in Sabina. The Munster scrum-half has returned to fitness to challenge Cormac Foley who came in for the win in Scotland. Lock Ryan Baird and Ulster wing Angus Kernohan are also in contention to be named amongst the starters when McNamara names the team tomorrow.
Follow the Ireland U20’s team this Friday in their crucial Six Nations encounter away to Italy, kick-off 6pm GMT. This game is exclusively available to view on IrishRugby.ie with thanks to PwC, proud sponsors of the Ireland U20 team.
