Between injuries and a brief sojourn away from Irish shores, Harry Byrne has gone largely under the radar in the last couple of seasons.
Usurped at international level by Jack Crowley, Ciarán Frawley and Sam Prendergast, Byrne, who won the last of four Ireland caps in 2024, has had to bide his time.
The younger brother of former Ireland out-half Ross, Harry has racked up 87 Leinster appearances since making his debut back in 2019, but it looks very much like his time is now.
Since returning from a loan move to Bristol at the end of last season, the 26-year-old has started 12 Leinster games at out-half, including the last six in a row as Prendergast slipped down the provincial pecking order after falling out of Ireland boss Andy Farrell's favour during the Six Nations.
His general play has been excellent and at over 6ft and 14st, he provides that extra bulk in defence. After helping Leo Cullen's side to reach the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, the Dubliner is in pole position to steer the team along in the business end of the season.
"He's a world-class player and he always has been, even from 14 or 15 years old you could tell how good a player was," says Leinster flanker Scott Penny, who played alongside Byrne at St Michael's College and at provincial and Ireland underage grades.
"He has such control over the group, his voice is so demanding and he's very physical as well for a 10. He puts in shots, he's happy to carry over backs and forwards, he's a strong lad.
"He's having a great run of games and he's full of confidence. It's great for the club having Harry playing so well.
"Some times you just have to be patient, wait for your turn and when you get your chance like Harry has, you've just got to take it and he's done a great job."
Leinster's attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal is better placed than most to assess Byrne's upturn and was also keen to stress that Prendergast, left out of the squads that beat Edinburgh and Sale in the Champions Cup, will come back into the reckoning down the stretch.
"[Harry has] been really impressive, he's playing with confidence and the guys around him are playing well off him. He's kicking well," said the New Zealander ahead of Friday's clash at Ulster, who sit one place above fourth-placed Leinster in the BKT URC standings.
"The potential was always there and he's performing well so he's enjoying his rugby at the moment.
"Sam is a competitor so he's disappointed not to make the match-day squad but his response, the way he's driven the week for the opposition team, he's been really mature about that.
"He's been able to focus on his own game and training. He's definitely got a massive part to play for the rest of the season."
Leinster will be without Ryan Baird (above) and Alex Usanov for this weekend's match in Belfast, while Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Andrew Porter are being assessed.
Baird, who returned from a four-month lay-off as he recovered from a broken leg against Edinburgh nine days ago, has an undisclosed injury.
"He wasn't training [Monday], not available this weekend and hopefully we'll have a bit more clarity when we're back in on Wednesday," said Bleyendaal of the 26-year-old second and back row Ireland forward.
"It's such a shame to not have him available after the performances he's put out."
Tommy O'Brien has signed a new contract with Leinster Rugby 🙌
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 14, 2026
Coming up through @BlackrockColl and @UCDRugby, Tommy made his @IrishRugby debut last summer and has now committed his future in blue 💙 #NeverLessThanEverything pic.twitter.com/gCtWiky8hK
Meanwhile, Leinster have announced that Ireland international winger Tommy O'Brien has signed a new contract with the club.
Lock Brian Deeny has also agreed a new deal, while hooker Stephen Smyth has signed his first senior contract with the URC champions.
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