A cool head on young shoulders, JONATHAN SEXTON's big right boot and consistent game management has him marked out as arguably the best young out-half in Ireland.

With Gordon D'Arcy out injured, Sexton has had an extended run in the Leinster back-line this season, soaking up all he can learn from Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll and Chris Whitaker.

The 22-year-old Dubliner, capped by Ireland at Schools and Under-21 levels, has played four times for the Ireland 'A' side, including three outings at last year's Churchill Cup. He is in his first year in the IRFU's High Performance Select Group.