Jack Crowley has had a few pinch me moments over the last 10 days - and there could be more to come within the next 12 months.
The young Munster star went from disbelief that he was bringing the kicking tee on for Johnny Sexton in the win against South Africa to impressing off the bench as one of three debutants against Fiji.
So if last Saturday's game was a forgettable afternoon in many respects, it was understandable that Crowley himself was on cloud nine afterwards.
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"Even last week I was asking myself what I was doing here on Saturday, running the tee to Johnny and experiencing the whole thing, I was incredibly grateful to do it." he beamed.
"And then to be in camp this week - I was thinking I was going to be going back to Limerick, but to stay for another week was something I was really grateful for.
"It was mind-blowing and I didn’t think in a million years I was going to be there.
"I didn’t know how they operate on Test week and it was probably a pinch me moment."
Getting to this level wasn't a big ambition for him at the start of the season, but Crowley hugely impressed Andy Farrell's coaching team on the Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa.
Ciarán Frawley's injury for Ireland A against the All Blacks XV opened the door for Crowley, who started that game at full-back. He has grabbed his chance and could feature against Australia this Saturday.
With Johnny Sexton a possible doubt with a dead leg injury and Joey Carbery going through return to play protocols, Crowley could even be thrown in at the deep end.
"I’m still trying to find my way in Munster and that was my number one aim," Crowley admitted.
"I definitely wanted to be on that Emerging Ireland tour to try to get exposed to the coaching staff. They were really my aims, I wasn’t looking too far ahead.
"I was really staying focussed on the week ahead, the next two weeks or whatever, because if I looked too far ahead I would probably have got carried away.
"It was just keeping my focus on things that were quite attainable."
Crowley didn't have time to be nervous as he got the call much earlier than expected.
The unfortunate Carbery was pole-axed by Fiji flanker Arthur Tuisue and the 22-year-old was summoned off the bench.
"I didn’t expect to be on that long," he acknowledged. "To see Joey coming off, you don’t want to see that no matter who it is.
"Joey has been so good to me, back in Munster and up here as well, a proper mentor.
"To see him go off with that is something that I don’t like to see - fortunate that I got on, but unfortunate in those circumstances that Joey had to come off.”
Crowley immediately slotted in and while "underwhelming" Ireland - as boss Andy Farrell put it - grew increasingly sloppy, the Corkman looked the part.
However he laughed when recalling how he felt over his first kick at goal, which he nailed.
Crowley explained: "Well, if I tell the truth, I missed every single kick from that side in the Captain’s run!
"So, there could be a lot going through your head. It’s weird. You get used to going into your own little bubble when it comes to a kick.
"I haven’t had that situation before but you try and stick to your process and, like I said, I missed all of them the day before, so anywhere near the posts I would have been happy with!".
Afterwards, he celebrated his achievement with his delighted family and admitted that he was inspired by Munster's victory over South Africa 'A' at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a game in normal circumstances that he would have played in.
"Yeah, 100%, that was incredible," Crowley said.
"Just seeing the lads and knowing the few weeks we have gone through and the results and what not. It was just incredible to see."
Farrell clearly rates Crowley and, if he continues to progress at this rate, a World Cup spot isn't beyond him.
"I didn’t expect to be here this week so if I started talking about World Cups and things further down the line, it would be a small bit unrealistic," said the player.
"I still know there are a lot of things in my game I must improve and that’s what I’m going to try and do for the next few weeks.
"It really is taking it one week at a time."
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