“Immense”. That was the word Andy Farrell used to describe Jamie Osborne’s performance off the bench for Ireland against Argentina, high praise from a coach who hasn’t been too happy with what he’s seen from his team so far this November.
The rise of the 21-year-old from Naas continues and you suspect that by the time the Six Nations rolls around it will be hard for the head coach to keep him out of his starting XV.
On Friday, he’s expected to be named in a much-changed team for the clash with Fiji and the likelihood is he’ll revert to full-back where he impressed against South Africa last summer.
Indeed, the evolution of the laws to favour athletic chasers could work in Osborne’s favour and if he rules the air on Saturday he’ll move closer to challenging Hugo Keenan’s iron grip on the No.15 shirt.
Away from the pitch, Osborne is quiet and unassuming but his self-effacing manner disguises a driven character who has built an impressive amount of experience in the last year.
“I feel ready if called upon,” he said when asked about the prospect of starting his first home game for Ireland, having come off the bench against New Zealand and Argentina.
“I remember my dad always used to bring us to games, myself and Andrew when we were young. I suppose the memories, watching Ireland win was obviously the best ones.
“I remember some of the tough losses as well but it’s very special to be able to play in them now and have the family watch me play. I think the goal for everyone is probably to start but I’ve been lucky to be involved as well the last couple of weeks.
“I’ve covered different positions as well which is good experience I suppose. Hopefully I can get the start in one of the last two games anyway.
“Once you get the first cap there’s just that relief of getting it done.
“Playing at home, the anthems, it was special. I know the All Blacks game didn’t go to plan, but even to stand in front of the haka for the first time was definitely a special experience. I loved it.”
Versatility is helpful when it comes to getting on to the Irish bench, but it also increases Osborne’s workload in match week.
Jamie Osbourne in action for Leinster
“It can be difficult at times knowing all the roles off launch moves, but I’ve been doing it in camp for a while now and I’m kind of used to it,” he said.
“Different things. Like, it’s making sure during the week that, if you’re a full-back you’re getting reps with high balls, your kicking game. Centre is probably a bit more confrontational, bit more physical. You’re carrying and distributing a bit more.
“It’s just getting the balance right in training. Maybe some extras pre- and post-training, making sure you have everything ticked off and you’re ready to go.”
Although he’s increasingly a rival for their jersey, Osborne has had plenty of help from the senior players.
“Massively helpful, everybody is trying to help each other out. If I had any questions for either of them I wouldn’t hesitate.
“Everyone would be staying back post-training, we’d all be working on the individual stuff and that’s the expectation, really, because you can’t do everything in a team session.
“So, yeah, we all spend a lot of time in our mini units, the back-three do their skills, centres their own after training, so that’s how we get it all in.”
Although other places get more attention, Kildare is increasingly a hotbed of Irish internationals with Osborne representing Naas RFC, Sam and Cian Prendergast hailing from Suncroft in the Curragh and Tadhg Beirne is flying the flag for the small village of Eadestown.
As one of the few club players making their way in the Leinster senior set-up, Osborne is proud of his roots.
“I get a lot of texts every time I’m involved in any sort of game and I can definitely feel how proud everyone is and it definitely makes me happy to make them proud,” he said of his club.
“There is less players that come up through that pathway so it’s definitely special to be part of it and hopefully it might give other younger players who want to become professionals, it kind of gives them confidence and look up to us.”