If you knew about Joe McCarthy 12 months ago, it's likely you were either a die-hard Leinster supporter or a regular follower of the Energia All Ireland League.
It's no disrespect to say the Dublin University lock was a relative unknown when his name landed on a teamsheet to face Cardiff at the Arms Park last January.
Even by the standards of Leinster's production line he hadn't been marked down in advance as the one to watch as we've seen with the likes of Harry Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Ryan Baird or Scott Penny in recent seasons.
He's played for Ireland U20 in the Six Nations in 2020, and while Ireland had won all three games, and he'd featured in all of them, the fact it was abandoned early due to Covid-19 saw it become lost in the flood.
But just under a year on from his debut in a surprise defeat to Cardiff, there aren't many left wondering who is Joe McCarthy.
"It's definitely been a mental 12 months, or not even 12 months," McCarthy tells RTÉ Sport, as he reflects on his first year in the professional game.
His Leinster debut (above) was soon followed by a week in the Ireland squad as a development player during the Six Nations, while a Champions Cup debut soon followed versus Leicester Tigers.
Week on week he seemed to be ticking off boxes; a Champions Cup final, a first try, touring New Zealand with Ireland, before winning his first Test cap in November of this year against Australia.
The gap between Leinster debut and Ireland was just short of 10 months. He says he'd been hoping to take "small steps" this year. Maybe those are small steps when you're 6ft 6in.
"Even this time last year I wasn't even capped, just in the academy, probably had a week off around Christmas. It's been great, I’ve had so many good experienced, been away to all different countries playing rugby, it’s only been positive for me developing as a player.
"It's probably accelerated a bit quicker than I would have thought.
"I’d always have been patient, every step as it comes, not getting too ahead of where you think you are. You always have a goal; I want to go on and play with Ireland, you start at Leinster and take small steps towards getting there.
"I've developed a crazy amount. I’ve so many different experiences, and tried to develop in all areas physically. Mentally, my prep is better, I’m probably more relaxed going into games, having experienced bigger days. You’re learning the whole time, every day is a school day."
The 21-year-old will tick off another of those Leinster rites of passage this evening, St Stephen's Day at Thomond Park.
While he featured in last season's win against Munster at the Aviva Stadium, the Christmas Interpros are new to him.
And while that means some sacrifice on Christmas Day, it's a sacrifice he's only too happy to make.
"Getting an opportunity to play around Christmas, they’re huge games for the club and there’s a lot of hype around it because everyone wants to watch them. When I was younger I was always watching the big Interpro games around Christmas, they’re always fiery so getting an opportunity to do it is exciting.
"I can’t wait, it’s a massive fixture. Thomond Park’s always a great crowd, buzzed to get an opportunity to play in it, it would be fantastic. These are the big weeks for the club, so the games you want to be involved in.
"It’s definitely another step in the journey, and something I’d definitely learn a lot from, playing big Interpros, being involved in the big weeks, back to back around Christmas, those games are completely different.
"I’ve never played down in Munster, and from what I heard from the lads it’s one of the most enjoyable places to go, if you can get the win."
Listen to live commentary of Munster v Leinster (7.35pm) on RTÉ Radio 1, or follow our live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
