During the week, Conor O'Brien was drafted into the Leinster Champions Cup squad ahead of Saturday's huge game at home to Toulouse.
It was reward for what was a breakout Christmas and New Year period for the centre. O'Brien was named Man of the Match in Leinster's 40-7 win against Ulster at the weekend.
"I remember seeing him at U20s when he was one of the standout players at that level," Garry Ringrose says regarding O'Brien. Ringrose was speaking on Wednesday at the renewal of his partnership with PwC.
It doesn't surprise me to see him kicking on and taking full advantage of the opportunity he's been given.
He works incredibly hard in training and the same in matches. That was evident against Ulster.
It's that extra bit of competition now in the group. Everyone needs to fight for their place.
It's that thing: it brings the best out of everyone; myself, Rory [O'Loughlin], Noel [Reid], Conor, Robbie [Henshaw] is coming back from injury, Joe [Tomane] isn't too far from coming back.
I'm delighted for him to be included in the squad. I'm sure he can't wait to get the next opportunity.
With Robbie Henshaw out injured, it would not be a shock to see O'Brien make his first European start for Leinster.
Ringrose, who is just a year older than O'Brien, remembers well his first big European game against Bath in 2015.
"My first big European game was Bath at home in the RDS, it wasn’t my first game it was my first start. I was on the bench against Wasps the week before which didn’t go too well [lost 33-6 at home]. That sticks out for the wrong reasons in my memory but the following game against Bath, that was one I really enjoyed.
"There were a couple of us making our European debut and we managed to get the win so it was a pretty special day and I’m sure that Conor will contribute to more days like that.
"Whether it’s a European game or a PRO14 game, any opportunity will give you those butterflies in your stomach and you realise how lucky you are.
"When you’re in secondary school, you’re working and dreaming of potentially getting an opportunity like that so whether it’s Europe or PRO14, to find out that you’re getting that opportunity is special."
Picture credit: Sportsfile & INPHO
Pictured is Leinster and Ireland Rugby International Garry Ringrose, with Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner of PwC Ireland, at the official announcement of the player’s partnership renewal with the firm.
