Simon Zebo and Stephen Larkham have heaped praise on Tadhg Beirne, who has secured a new three-year IRFU deal to remain with Munster.
Beirne, 30, has been a stand-out player for the province and for his country over the past year in particular, and earned his 27th cap as a second row starter before finishing in the back row in Ireland's Six Nations loss to France on Saturday.
Like Zebo, Beirne had to come home to further his international ambitions.
Unlike Zebo, the flying winger from Cork who moved to Racing in Paris before coming home last summer, versatile Kildare forward Beirne hadn't been involved at Test level before he effectively made a career for himself at the Scarlets in a two-year spell.
However he returned to Ireland in 2018 and quickly established himself at Test level, earning his place in the British and Irish Lions squad in South Africa last summer and featuring in two of the Test games.
"He’s exactly what I expected, but I'm probably even more impressed now having been around him so much now in the last few months," said Zebo.
"He’s an incredible athlete, incredible over the ball.
"His attacking, his lines of running...everything. He ticks every box for a second-row and back-row.
"I suppose the most impressive thing about him would be his skills. His off-loading and passing ability.
"He’s a real smart rugby player. You saw at the weekend he puts in a 50-22 kick.
"He’s got the full package and his contract is very well-deserved. And it’s good for Munster too, so happy days."
Larkham has worked with Beirne since joining Johann van Graan's coaching set-up ahead of the 2019-20 season and has been hugely impressed by the Eadestown man's overall contribution.
"He understands the game exceptionally well, he's got really good skills and he shows tremendous leadership," said Larkham.
"He has a thirst for improvement, both as a team and individually.
"He's been a pleasure to work with. You don't get many guys like that who are top of their game and hungry to get better."
And Larkham believes that hunger will continue to make Beirne an improved player in the years to come.
"I think so, he's been playing exceptionally well for us," said the Aussie, who returns home to join the Brumbies after this season.
"And like I said, he offers a lot of leadership around the place and that's only going to improve."
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