Still at the top of his game, the power-packed Connacht and Ireland midfielder could yet have a novel positional switch in him
The second Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa gave coaching an insight into the talent coming the famed system and didn't disappoint
The Irish youngsters followed up their opening-round success over the Currie Cup Pumas with a 29-24 win over Western Force last Sunday.
Sam Prendergast will start at flyhalf for Emerging Ireland in their second match of the South Africa tour against Western Force on Sunday.
Olympian Zac Ward is set to start on the wing for Emerging Ireland on Wednesday against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
Emerging Ireland have been dealt another injury blow with Connacht prop Jordan Duggan being replaced by Leinster's Alex Usanov the day before the squad embark for South Africa.
The tour head coach had last week unveiled his original selection to travel to Bloemfontein for the October matches versus the Pumas, Western Force and the Cheetahs, but injuries have led to a rejig before the group assembles in Dublin on Wednesday.
Leinster flanker James Culhane has been passed fit to team up with Emerging Ireland for their three-match tour in South Africa next month.
Who are the rising stars and fresh faces to keep an eye on throughout the coming months?
Easterby, who will become the interim Ireland Test team coach when Farrell is on his sabbatical in charge of the 2025 British and Irish Lions, has named a 33-strong squad for the upcoming fixtures in Bloenfointein versus the Pumas, Western Force and the Cheetahs.