In many ways, Ryan Baird is the anointed one, set to fill Ireland's number 6 shirt when captain Peter O'Mahony calls it a day.
As he casually strolls into the press conference room a good two hours after Ireland's 17-13 win over Scotland, Baird cuts a cool figure, ready and able and willing to disregard the IRFU's answer cheat sheet that too many of the players default to.
Ask the 24-year-old a question and he'll consider it, pause and then speak his mind.
"He asks the wildest questions," said Cian Healy of his Leinster team-mate during the championship.
"He could come out with anything, he could come out with a question about fishing or golf. His head just goes anywhere, it's brilliant, it's part of his make-up."
And so, after Ireland claim their sixth Six Nations title, and just 16th outright championship ever, the imposing athletic lock / flanker takes his seat in front of the battle-worn press.
Baird burst onto the scene after bursting through the Italian defence back in February of 2021 with what has now become, after 20 caps, a trademark galloping break.
He featured in three matches in last season's campaign, starting the finale against England.
"I struggled to enjoy it last year because of some of the mistakes I made in the game and it kind of ruined it for me," says Baird of his experience of Ireland's fourth ever Grand Slam last year.
"Only when we lost last week [against England], and I was back home, my mom had framed the Maro Itoje jersey for me for Christmas [from last season's win], I just remembered how special that was and how hard those are to win.
"So when the final whistle went today, I’d made a few mistakes in the game – I had given that penalty away, which I was frustrated with, but I had done some good stuff as well – I put that aside.
"I made the last carry and I remember being on the ground as the ball was being kicked out and I thought, 'you know what, appreciate the last eight weeks of hard work you have put in, appreciate the time you spent with your team-mates’.
"It didn’t give me a crazy high, it just gave me a satisfaction. Yeah, I worked hard, we all worked hard."
Good riddance to 'trusting the process'.
Every player gets asked what it means to play for their country but few respond in such a forthright manner as Baird (above).
"For me it’s being able to let go of any other worries I have and just go out and play," he replies.
"I just want to fulfil my potential and I feel very fortunate to be in this group. I’m not representing me today; I’m representing family and friends and the big thing we always say is we want to inspire the nation.
"As I get older I’m realising more that I am less selfish in my views as to why I am doing this.
"I do it first because I love playing rugby and I love representing this country and what this gives others when we do this and when we win.
"I’m starting to appreciate that more and I guess it’s why I’m more fond of this one."
Before he turned all philosophical, Baird took time to pay tribute to his captain (above, wearing number 6).
O'Mahony may depart now, happy with his lot, but his legacy will inspire the current crop, including his replacement elect.
"He epitomises what it is to be an Irish rugby player," added Baird.
"I said to him before the game how much I look up to him and I said it to him after.
"Yeah, I idolise him. I’m so fortunate to play with him as well, the way he carries himself.
"He’s such good fun off the pitch and such a hard worker on the pitch. You can see it is everything to him and I’m privileged to be led by him."
Watch highlights of the weekend's action on Against the Head, 8pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
