A STAR IS BORN: Jonathan Sexton in the 2005 U-21 World Championship match between SA and Ireland in Argentina Picture: DUIF DU TOIT/GALLO IMAGES

'He's provided a solid basis for us'

That's because he is still behind Ronan O'Gara in the team's pecking order, and perhaps even behind O'Gara's back-up, Paddy Wallace.

But it won't be long before the 24-year-old Leinster flyhalf makes the Irish No10 job his own.

On Saturday he made his debut for Ireland at home, kicking seven goals out of seven against Fiji in a 41-6 win.

Two of those kicks were conversions from the touchline.

It was not only his precise goal-kicking in a capricious wind, but his general assurance that really impressed. There were the certainty and distance of his punting, his awareness of when to run and when to pass and that sense of timing that the best players possess as an instinct.

Sexton's rise has been rapid. It started earlier this year with a superb performance for Ireland A against Scotland followed by a series of mature and poised performances for Leinster in the European Cup semifinal and final.

It's not only his playing ability. According to Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll the Irish players also tease Sexton about his "encyclopaedic" knowledge of the game.

"He's provided a solid basis for us this season and with every game is getting better," said O'Driscoll. And Sexton could probably help them win a rugby trivia quiz too.