CJ Stander was jokingly warned last year that Caelan Doris was gunning for his Ireland no 8 jersey - and that's exactly what has happened for tomorrow's opening Six Nations clash with Scotland.
The 21-year-old's dad and Stander had a laugh about Doris' breakthrough being imminent late last year.
The Mayo sensation has been in brilliant form for Leinster this season and has earned a promotion to the Test arena from new Ireland boss Andy Farrell, with Stander moving to no 6 in place of his provincial colleague Peter O'Mahony.
"He told me his son was coming through," Stander grinned earlier today at the Aviva Stadium, after the hosts' Captain's Run.
"We were joking - I was joking about it that he's going to take my spot. I said to him then just to make sure that he enjoys it and trains hard, like anyone else.
"If I talk to him before the game, I'll tell him to go out there and do what he's done to get here, enjoy it. It's the Six Nations and it's special.
"He's a great ballplayer, he's got a good work-rate and he's still young so there's a lot more to come from him, I'd say."
Stander has previous as blindside flanker for Ireland and Munster - in fact he made his international debut in that role four years ago.
"It's a place I'm familiar with in this squad," he stated.
"It's not really a big switch for me, it's just a number change. I think my job there is to just make sure I get into space a little bit and work with the boys around me, give them an easier job."
Forwards coach Simon Easterby insisted that players must be flexible at the elite level and play different roles if called upon.
"In the World Cup, we saw guys moving around a bit," he pointed out. "Pete moved to seven, and we have to have that flexibility in that starting pack and guys coming off the bench.
"Caelan comes in for a well-deserved start and we've reshuffled a little bit but we have the added advantage of having the experience of Pete on the bench to cover across the back row.
"Every team has to be adaptable, particularly in the back row, but it doesn't change things much".
