As one of the young pups in the Ireland squad, Cian Prendergast doesn't have to go far to find inspiration.
In his own positions across the second and back row, he has the likes of Peter O’Mahony, Iain Henderson and James Ryan, experienced campaigners and captains. Above him on the coaching ticket he has Paul O’Connell to bounce ideas off.
In recent months though, he’s been in awe at the growth of his younger brother Sam.
The younger Prendergast played a starring role for the Ireland U20s in their Six Nations Grand Slam success, and a month later kicked the winning points and was player of the match on his Leinster debut.
Most recently, Sam was a key figure in the Irish side that reached the World Rugby U20 Championship final in South Africa, matching Ireland’s best ever finish at the tournament.
"His schedule had been fairly hectic, this camp has been fairly hectic, but I've been able to catch up with him on the phone, in between games," the Connacht back row says of his brother.
The U20s' run to the final was all the more remarkable by the challenges they faced along the way, with the shocking deaths of former St Michael’s College student Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall who were known to several members of that squad, before the tragic accident that killed Greig Oliver – father of their team-mate Jack – in Cape Town.
"Just to see how they dealt and coped with it was just amazing to see. I was inspired by my brother, in a way, to see that.
"That week of that Fiji game I think I was probably the most proud I've ever been of him, watching him come on against Fiji when the tide was going a little bit against them.
"You could see that the game could go either way and he [Sam] kind of dealt with it quite maturely and just watching him grow as a person and then ultimately they went to beat South Africa in the semi-final, the host nation.
"The lads would be a year or two out of school and to have to deal with that; they haven't much life experience. On top of that, the pressure on them is immense to perform in a World Cup, and on a world stage.
"I know they didn't get the result they were wanting [in the final] but, to me, they were a total inspiration. A total inspiration as a group, as well. Watching them beat Fiji and the host nation in a semi-final, it is something beyond inspiring."
In a weird quirk, Prendergast is one of three players in the senior Irish squad who had brothers on that Ireland U20 squad, with Joe McCarthy’s brother Paddy, and Jamie Osborne’s brother Andrew playing key roles in both the Six Nations and World Championship this season.
Prendergast (above) missed out on playing at a Junior World Cup due to Covid-19, losing out on a vital stepping stone between underage and senior rugby.
He doesn’t appear to be suffering for it though, with the 23-year-old evolving from a young prospect to a key member of the Connacht team in little over a year.
Having trained with Ireland as a development played in the 2022 Six Nations, he was included in the squad that toured New Zealand that summer, going on to make his Test debut last November against Fiji.
"I think the improvement in my game has been massive, but also as a person, as well, to realise what high performance rugby is, and what's required of me. That's a tremendous thing to be exposed to.
"And then with your skill bases, you're getting to train with the best players in the world, on one of the best teams in the world. It has been phenomenal for me, as a player and a guy that is just trying to break into this team. That is ultimately the goal.
"I think at times you don't think you are [getting better] but then you look back at the player you were a year, a year and a half ago, you go 'geez, I'm very bang average back then'.
"I think, as well, you grow as a person because you are experiencing team success and it builds your confidence and your self-confidence grows on the back of that."
Given the experienced back row talent currently in the Irish squad, it’s likely Prendergast would need to see an injury or two over the coming weeks if he’s to make the final 33-man squad for the World Cup in France.
Those scenarios are out of his hands though, and regardless of injuries he’ll still need to impress during the World Cup warm-up games.
He’ll hope to plant a flag in the mind of Andy Farrell on Saturday if he can earn a second Ireland cap in the opening warm-up against Italy (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
"Obviously selection for the World Cup is the main goal. Everyone wants to be on an Irish team that goes and does something special over in France.
"A day-by-day focus and week-by-week focus is the best way to go about it. Obviously those thoughts will creep in but there's only so much you can. If you put your best foot forward, hopefully you'll put yourself in a good position.
"It would be a dream come true, it is something I have dreamed of since I was a child, of being at a World Cup. I can remember Ireland beating Australia in 2011 in New Zealand and just being so, kind of, in awe at what was happening.
"Even at 11 years old you know something special is happening and seeing your parents reaction is great and getting the opportunity to be part of something like that and hopefully be part of an Irish team which does something really, really special would be a dream come through."
Watch live coverage of Ireland's Rugby World Cup warm-up games v Italy (5 August), England (19 August) and Samoa (26 August) live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 or follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app.
