Just three months ago the only question people were asking of Sam Prendergast was whether he could sneak a place in Ireland's November squad, let alone take the starting place in a two-horse race between Jack Crowley and Ciarán Frawley.
But professional sport is a fast-moving game, and now not only is the 21-year-old simply expected to be in the Ireland squad, but is being mentioned in the same sentence as the British and Irish Lions - an idea that in October would have been incomprehensible.
Despite having enjoyed relatively little club experience before his Ireland debut against Argentina, Sam Prendergast enjoyed an admittedly brilliant start to life in green starting both of the following wins over Fiji and Australia.
Those international starts seem to have worked wonders for his provincial standing as well, with Prendergast jumping from being the third choice outhalf to starting both of Leinster's European ties in December.
30 November 2024; Sam Prendergast of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Jim Hamilton makes bold Sam Prendergast Lions claim
While Scotland legend Jim Hamilton was somewhat sceptical when Sam Prendergast first broke onto the international scene in last year, even he has been won over by the Newbridge man.
Discussing who might make up the Lions 10/12/13 partnership on his podcast The Rugby Pod, Saracens and Leicester great Hamilton revealed that he thinks Sam Prendergast will be on the flight to Australia for the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
Andy Farrell is a winner isn't he and he loves his guys.
I reckon Sam Prendergast will go.
I think he goes if Marcus (Smith) plays at 15.
Surprisingly, there was little backlash from either of Hamilton's co-hosts Andy Goode or Wales legend Dan Biggar, although Biggar did caveat his agreement on the condition that Prendergast enjoyed a good Six Nations, calling it an 'outside shout'.
Whether Steve Borthwick will opt to play Marcus Smith at fullback to free up space for the up-and-coming Fin Smith is yet to be seen, but the conversation has dominated English rugby talk since the New Year and certainly provides Andy Farrell with an interesting option.
There is also no denying that based on last year's Autumn Nations Andy Farrell has a particular fondness for Sam Prendergast as a rugby player - although with the quality of Finn Russell, Marcus Smith and even Farrell's own son Owen all lurking for a seat on the plane, Australia could come marginally too soon for the Irishman.
Gary Ringrose's name also made an appearance in the discussion, with his place on the plane being considered a given and Andy Goode tipping him to start ahead of Hugh Jones as it stands.
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