Stuart Lancaster says Ross Byrne has seized his chance after emerging from the Test wilderness.
Byrne is on high alert to start for Ireland in Rome following Johnny Sexton's groin injury against France.
Lancaster backed Byrne to earn a Six Nations recall from Andy Farrell in this year's championship - and Leinster's senior coach has been hugely impressed by what he has seen from the out-half.
The 27-year-old delivered off the bench for Sexton away to Wales and in last Saturday's epic home victory over France, when Byrne had to steer the ship in Sexton's absence from the 48th minute.
"I actually thought he did really well too when he came on in Cardiff, his mindset to play the space and his mindset to not wait for the perfect picture, to keep attacking against Wales," said Lancaster.
"Obviously it's on the back of what he did in the Australia game (in November) - comes down, bangs the (winning penalty) kick over.
"He's just got an inner belief that's born out of the work he's done here at Leinster and it's obviously with great pride that we've all seen him achieve what he's achieved.
"He's had selection decisions go against him which we all understand because it's bloody difficult being an international coach.
"But he went about it the right way by just focusing on his own performance and now allowing the frustration of that to affect his performance - and he has grown and grown and grown as a leader.
"He's played a significant role throughout this season for Leinster and there isn't a player in the building who isn't delighted to see him get his chance.
"That's my message to them consistently, 'this is the foundation, this is how you build your game at Leinster and if you play well here for long enough, I'm sure Andy will give you your chance'.
"That's what has happened for Ross - and he's taken it.
"His control in the latter stages and his identification of space in the back field and find the corners ultimately helped Ireland to crack France in the end.”
Lancaster flew home to Leeds on Saturday night on a high after witnessing a classic - then returned 24 hours later in the company of a plane full of disappointed Leeds United fans.
"Middle aged and cursing the fact that they had lost to Man United," he quipped.
Lancaster said he had never been involved in a game that had the ball in play for over 46 minutes - as was the case on Saturday.
"It was literally non-stop," he smiled. "Ultimately Ireland's pressure game in the second half, the kicks they put in exposing the French back field and they couldn't exit, I always felt they were going to crack at some point.
"It obviously took Garry Ringrose's try to crack them, but you've to give France credit for hanging in there. Ireland were the better team but it took until the 71st or 72nd minute for them to go.
"It was a phenomenal game to watch and to be at.
"We played France in 2015, with England, it was 55-35 on that Super Saturday and it was a very, very similar feeling in that game, I was just like, 'wow, this is just an incredible game of rugby'."
Lancaster believes Ireland have every chance of completing only a fourth Grand Slam.
“I don’t see why not," he commented. "You wouldn’t be taking anything for granted because every game starts from zero.
"It’s not like you get credit in the bank because you played well the previous week and you're playing Italy away.
“Italy were pretty disappointing against England, Scotland will obviously have their tails up and then England will come to Ireland in the hope of spoiling something.”
READ NEXT:
Johnny Sexton pays tribute to 'unbelievable' Conor Murray after emotional week
Conor McGregor opens up on 'trauma' of collision as he details treatment
Gardai investigating household name GAA star over claims of alleged €1m fraud
Boxing club pays touching tribute to teenagers who died after car overturned on Galway pier
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
