From Richie Mo'unga to Johnny Sexton - Michael Ala'alatoa has swapped one world-class out-half club team-mate for another.
Following his summer move from the Crusaders to Leinster, the impressive tighthead has marvelled at what Sexton brings to the table for his province and expects to bring for his country in the Six Nations in the coming weeks.
“Since I first started training with him, it's like he's got more time than anyone I have seen," admitted Ala'alatoa.
"Nine times out of 10, he is making the right decisions to set up the attack. The more I train with him, the more I see it. It's impressive to be around.
“I have been lucky enough to play with Richie Mo'unga but I think it's a whole different kind of player really, the way that Johnny plays.
“He's like three or four steps ahead of everyone. His standards are so high that if you are not on the same page as him, he'll let you know, but in a good way.
“As you saw on the weekend (against Bath), there were opportunities that came off the back of what he was doing.
"That's because he's giving the right messages and making sure that the boys are on task for those moments.
“That's what allows us to execute. It has been really good to be around him and learn from him.
"The most important thing is that he is leading with his actions first. When you've got a guy playing that well, you're going to follow him."
In fact, Ala'alatoa faced Sexton in the last World Cup when Ireland beat Samoa.
For the tighthead, the most memorable thing about that encounter in Fukuoka was coming up against his future front row colleagues Cian Healy, Tadgh Furlong and Andrew Porter.
With all three now on Six Nations duty, Leo Cullen is counting on Ala'alatoa to provide leadership, beginning his week with the trip to Cardiff in the URC.
"That’s probably the game I was looking forward to most, playing against Cian and Tadhg," the 30-year-old smiled.
"I thought our scrum was OK on the day. We did a good job but then Ports came on and did some damage so it was good to play against those guys.
“It’s a funny world, rugby. I have the opportunity to call them teammates now. It’s pretty cool.
"I actually swapped jerseys with Cian after the game so it has been cool for that to come full circle and play with him here now.
"Now that the Irish lads are gone, there is an opportunity there to lead a bit more but it's not really going to change anything for me," he said.
“I am still going to make sure I do everything I can to prepare as well as I can to put on the best performance that I can at the weekend.
"That's how I like to lead anyway. Everything else takes care of itself, really.”
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