Tadhg Furlong knew straight away that Leinster team-mates Caelan Doris and Ronan Kelleher would go all the way to Test level rugby.
Back row Doris, a former Ireland under-20 skipper, makes his senior international debut against Scotland on Saturday, while hooker Kelleher will make his bow off the bench at the Aviva Stadium.
"Looking at the two boys, the way they've come into the academy and seeing their journey...when you see lads coming into senior training for the first and second time, you just know some lads who are going to be really, really good," said Furlong.
"You can tell that about the lads straight away - their temperament, how they go about their business, that solidifies your thinking.
"The way both of them carried themselves through the start of the year with Leinster has been really, really impressive.
"They're two level-headed lads. It's a huge week for them but I'm sure it's one they'll take in their stride."
Another Leinster team-mate, James Ryan, believes their promotion to Six Nations exposure is "huge" for the young pair.
Doris is 21, Kelleher is 22.
"They're both deserving of their chance, both great lads," said Ryan.
"I've played with Ronan for quite a while now, played with him in school and would have played against Caelan too. They're two really good players.
"Ronan is a big man as a hooker and Caelan is another serious athlete. They're both very grounded lads and that's helped them push on this season.
"You can see there's no sense of complacency from them, no airs and graces. They're both very driven lads and I'm excited for both of them."
Lineout giant Ryan believes Doris can be an asset in that set-piece.
"Maybe he hadn't been used as much in the past, growing up, but certainly in the last six months he has really come on. His jump has gotten much better," said Ryan.
"He was jumping back a small bit, something I can do a bit in my game, so he seems to be jumping forward more now and it's a more athletic position for our jumpers.
"So he's really come on in that area".
