It's a new season, which means that after three rounds of PRO12 action we can get a sense of what players have improved over the preseason, have earned the trust of their head coachs and are ready to make the leap.
Some older players will be looking over their shoulder as the season progresses, and the youngsters start making their move. With Ireland playing Canada - a week after New Zealand in Chicago, and a week before a return game with New Zealand - there is a chance for Schmidt to rest his stars and make wholesale changes against the North Americans.
Here are the players who could be making their first appearances in green when that game rolls around:
Garry Ringrose
The heir apparent to Brian O'Driscoll finally gets his chance. He's been training with Ireland for the last year. The people finally get what they want.
Jack O'Donoghue
We knew O'Donoghue was good - but this year we will find out how good. It's unfortunate that he'll be stuck behind O'Mahony and Stander - but the Waterford product is already dominating on the field for Erasmus. The 22-year-old has been involved with Six Nations squads before, and he's still getting better and better.
Niyi Adeolokun
It's been quite a rise for Adeolokun. A naturally gifted athlete, the more he plays the game at the highest level the better he is becoming. The frighteningly winger shorn up most of his defensive lapses last season, and he continues to improve. If he gets into the Irish squad, Schmidt will have a bundle of talent to mould into something extremely potent.
He's probably the most improved player in Irish Rugby.
See Also: Watch: Niyi Adeolokun Leaves Edinburgh Defender On His Arse For Electric Connacht Try
Dan Leavy
Forever the legend of schoolboy potential - injuries, Sean O'Brien and Josh van der Flier have so far stopped Leavy from breaking out. Not this season. The openside has been Leinster's best player through three games - scoring two tries already. His breakdown work is phenomenal, and Schmidt is a known admirer. He's my pick to be Ireland's starter by 2019.
Jacob Stockdale
The Ulster flier has shone so far. One of the standouts from the Irish U-20 march to the World Cup final, Stockdale hasn't looked out of place on the wing in the PRO12, creating and scoring tries - and dovetailing nicely with Charles Piutau.
Ross Molony
The 22-year-old second row has a lot of things going for him. He's one of the most talented young locks in Irish Rugby, playing in a position without as much competition for places internationally as others. He's a highly intelligent operator, and demands minutes in Leinster's second row that does have some competition. He's got age on his side, and the experience of a PRO12 final and Champions Cup rugby too.
Denis Buckley
How isn't Buckley capped yet? He's utterly dominant in the scrum, even putting Lions tighthead elect WP Nel on his arse last night. He's like an extra flanker at the breakdown, and he's got the best scrumhalf pass of any forward in the world. Buckley has got it all, and it's a travesty he's not in the Irish squad already.
