The Ospreys have signed Will Hickey, a hugely promising young back-rower from Ireland.
Hickey captained the renowned St Michael’s College last year.
It had been expected that he would seamlessly progress into the Leinster academy system, having played for the province's A side as recently as December.
But the blindside flanker or No. 8 surprisingly failed to make the cut — putting the Ospreys on alert.
Hickey arrived in Wales earlier this week, passed a Covid test on Tuesday and had a medical on Wednesday, and has now put pen to paper on a deal with the Welsh side.
The Ospreys have an Irish connection through their development chief Mike Ruddock, a former Ireland U20s and Lansdowne team boss, and it is likely to have been used to lure the former Ireland schools international to Wales.
While he didn't secure a place in Leinster's academy, Hickey is highly rated, with one below-the-line contributor to an Irish website bemoaning the youngster's exit from Ireland and drawing a comparison with Sam Underhill, the England flanker who had a spell with the Ospreys earlier in his career.
Commenting on The42, he said: "This lad not making the academy is a farce.
"One of the best prospects to come out of STMC in years.
"Pro ready player with an unbelievable mindset.
"Leinster making a mistake here."
He had earlier commented: "Such a talented player and a great move for him.
"Reminds me of what Sam Underhill did. I predict the IRFU will be clawing to get him back within five years."
It is unclear if Hickey has any Welsh roots. If he doesn’t the only way he could qualify to represent Wales would be to go down the residency route and spend five years here.
On Ruddock and Toby Booth’s watch, the Ospreys have been big on the idea of nurturing homegrown talent, with the likes of Will Griffiths, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Keiran Williams, Morgan Morris, Mat Protheroe, Rhys Davies and Reuben Morgan-Williams all being given opportunities this season.
But Hickey, who was part of Ireland’s U19s last term only for the pandemic to jettison their programme of games, is seen as an outside talent worth an opportunity.
Other Irish players to make a success of spells in Wales include Tommy Bowe and Tadhg Beirne, while the Scarlets were also skippered and coached by Simon Easterby.
