Earlier this year, Richie McCaw stated that if Bundee Aki had remained in New Zealand, rather than deciding to move to Ireland, he had the potential to be an All Black.
It was a mark of how exciting a player the Connacht centre has become.
Others have also recognised the 26-year-old's qualities.
Today's Irish Times reports news that English and French clubs have shown interest in Aki.
Possible overtures from those outside of Ireland has sparked the IRFU into action.
According to The Irish Times, Joe Schmidt met with Aki last weekend in a bid to broker a new long-term contract with the player whose current deal runs out next summer.
Aki was brought to Ireland as a project player with the chance that he could one day pull on a green shirt at international level. Under the three-year residency rule, Aki would qualify to play for Ireland by the autumn of next year. If he signs a new contract, he could possibibly make his debut in 2017 November internationals.
The likelihood that he will stay in Ireland appears positive. He appears settled in Connacht and is playing some superb rugby. As Connacht won the PRO12, he was named their Player of the Season.
He has also shown, when helping to retrieve Robbie Henshaw's laptop from a Galway estatem that he has strongly bought into the team ethic out west.
