Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has hailed All Black Jordie Barrett as a "fantastic" signing on and off the field ahead of his final game in blue in today's BKT URC final.
If the eastern province do reign victorious, a fair share of plaudits will rightfully be directed towards last summer's three marquee signings.
Frenchman Rabah Slimani has been a revelation at tighthead prop, proving age is just a number, while RG Snyman has taken to life up the M7 with ease, and will be keen to become the league's first two-time URC champion.
For utility back Barrett, he has hit the high notes you come to expect from a player of his calibre.
The Bulls showdown will be his 15th and final game in blue, and he will be aiming to add to his medal collection, and six-try haul.
Remarkably, a URC winners medal would be the first club honours won by the youngest Barrett sibling, and it would be just reward for his time in Dublin.
He has also left an undeniable legacy off the field according to Cullen.
"He has been a joy to have in the building, he’s been great," the Leinster coach said ahead of today's final against the South Africans.
"He goes about is business, he is studious in himself, and I think it’s some of those behavioural pieces that hopefully rubs off best on not just our young players, but all the senior guys as well.
"He’s been great and fantastic to have around."
On the field, with four tries and five assists this season in the league, there’s a jack of all trades versatility to the silky playmaker.
It would have been easier for Cullen to list weaknesses rather than his attributes.
"His ball playing ability, his ability to carry when he has to as well, his passing game, and to be able to see space, his kicking game as well in terms of being able to see space in the backfield or whether that’s on the kick pass," said Cullen of Barrett's on-field expertise.
"His ability and willingness to be able to try things as well.
"They see him practice certain things all the time in training.
"He’s practicing something that he is willing to put into practice on the field and then have the confidence to implement that on the field."
As was the case with the other great New Zealand signings of the past, like the legendary Brad Thorn or Doug Howlett at Munster, Barrett carries a personality adored by young fans, and younger team-mates eager to learn.
Cullen added: "Even just to see how he interacts with fans at different stages during the course of the year, like the open sessions we’ve had during the year, and how giving he is of his time.
"He’s been fantastic and hopefully he goes well on Saturday and produces another big performance because ultimately that’s what we want to see from him.
"You mention Hugh Cooney and Charlie Tector, Jordie has played with both of those guys at different stages, over the course of the season, you’d have to ask those guys what did they really learn, but it’s the day-to-day habits."
Another advantage of Leinster’s pulling power is how they can avoid an insular mindset with outside perspectives.
Barrett, Snyman, Slimani and next season’s signing Rieko Ioane will help to keep opinions fresh and broad in UCD.
"You don’t want it to be same, same," said Cullen, who knows all too well the importance of outside voices.
"You’re always trying to add, you get a coach or a member of the backroom staff.
"Again, it’s just different views and I’m very open to that. I don’t want to have that, would you call it, that group-think mentality.
"You want to be able to spread it wider and challenge our own way of thinking.
"I’m only promoting they’re here in the first place because I strongly believe they do add but maybe that’s just justifying the position we’re in."
Dan Sheehan recently echoed Cullen's words about the value of outside voices.
He described Barrett, Snyman and Slimani as having had a "massive impact" who help bring the right combination of perspectives to the fore.
Leinster captain Jack Conan last week admitted to the extra motivation to secure that coveted medal for the departing.
Barrett is one of seven departing senior players for Leinster this coming summer, a list which includes the legendary Cian Healy and out-half Ross Byrne.
"It's been a motivation for the last few weeks to give them another week in the club and do right by them," said the Lions number 8.
"We want to do right by all those lads. It's something we've touched on a lot.
"I think it's part of the reason why we were so on it [against Glasgow in the semi-final] because we want to give those lads the send-off they deserve but, again, it won't count for much if we don't push on and be better."
If Leinster are to raise the 20kg URC trophy aloft this evening, Barrett’s presence is sure to be a driving factor.
Non-Ireland qualified players have long helped the provinces reach the peak of their powers, and although European glory slipped by, a first domestic crown since 2021 cannot be sniffed at.
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