Jack Crowley started his first Test match for Ireland against Australia on Saturday night - but only found out he would be playing 20 minutes before kick-off.
The Munster man replaced captain Johnny Sexton, who was a late withdrawal after picking up an injury during the warm-up.
Crowley, 22, only made his international debut seven days previously when coming on for Joey Carbery five minutes into the second half against Fiji, with Ireland going on to win that game 35-17.
READ MORE: Ireland v Australia LIVE updates from the Aviva Stadium
He plays primarily as a fly-half, but can also play at fullback and centre.
Crowley was born in Innishannon, Co Cork, in January 2000.
He has played with Bandon RFC, Bandon Grammar School, Munster representative squads, Cork Constitution and Ireland's U20s.
Eamon Guinevan, who is currently head coach of Bandon RFC’s J1s, coached Crowley throughout his age-grade days and told Munster Rugby: “He’s our first homegrown international who has come up through the ranks from an underage player.
“It’s a great honour for any club but especially because we’re not a big senior club. All the way along, you could see he had a bit of quality.”
But already Crowley is being seen as a leader within Munster's squad.
Speaking after Munster's game with Ulster earlier in the season, Graham Rowntree said: “He’s really grown as a leader. I’m really pleased with that young man.”
Former Munster star CJ Stander also described Crowley as a leader recently.
He said: “Jack Crowley is someone they need to pin down and realise that he is going to be the next big 10. He already looks like he is a leader in the squad, someone who really stands out to me.”
Crowley stated after making his Ireland debut that he thought he would be leaving the squad ahead of the Fiji game.
He explained earlier this week: "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.
"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."
Little did he know an even bigger moment would be coming just days later against Australia.
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