Tom O'Toole received Andy Farrell's message loud and clear that now was the time to deliver in an Ireland shirt - and he did that in spades against France.
With Tadhg Furlong not ready to return for the start of the Six Nations, O'Toole was named on the bench for the opener against Wales.
Farrell was asked about the Ulster tighthead at his team announcement ahead of that game.
"He's been a project for a while and you get to that stage where you can't keep chasing potential," Farrell said.
"There's been a few opportunities for Tom and it's tough for a young kid, learning his trade against the best when he comes into camp but it's certainly helped him get to where he is now.
"His set-piece work, his bread and butter stuff has really come on over the last 12 months and that's a credit to Ulster as well."
The 24-year-old had only made two starts in eight appearances for the province this season but, replacing Finlay Bealham against Wales and France, he has made a big impact already in this championship.
O'Toole carried with real intent against France after coming on in the 62nd minute - his driving efforts helped to keep Les Bleus under pressure until they cracked and conceded that fourth try 10 minutes later as Ireland pushed on to a 32-19 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
O'Toole made eight carries in the short enough time that he was involved.
"It was one of the days where the ball comes your direction, and you just have to take it," he said later.
"I was excited on the bench, excited for the occasion, and coming on at 60 minutes you have 20 minutes to play in a tight game.
"We kept talking on the bench, saying we need a bit of spark and energy - fortunately I got myself in the right positions and the ball was coming my way. I had to step up for the team and just carry as hard as I could.
"I think for me, I've been in and around the squad for the last few years and it's time to step up - and time to show that I'm capable at this level.
"Tadhg is world class and a great leader for the team, and Finlay has done exceptionally well coming into that role, so it was time for me to step up and add to the team. That's all I wanted to do.
"It's a great opportunity but I needed to come on and have an impact, and add bits and pieces for the team.
"It's been a great opportunity for me at this level and at the stage I'm at in my career now, it's definitely time to step up. I was excited to get the opportunity and fortunately it went well.
"In terms of Six Nations, playing for Ireland, it doesn't get better than that, does it?".
O'Toole, who was born in Drogheda and grew up in Australia before coming back at 16 to pursue a career in rugby, said the key was to immediately get involved in the action.
"When you get in, and get on early, you just want to get involved," he remarked. "As a bench player you're watching the game, trying to pick out areas in which we could attack.
"Fortunately I got the ball in my hands early enough, that gives you a bit of confidence, you can go, 'right, I'm in the game now'. I got it a few more times, I was just excited getting the ball and carrying as hard as I could.
"I think with Andy and the rest of the coaches, we knew what we were working on. Behind Finlay and behind Tadhg in the last couple of years I learned a lot from those guys. It was just being patient.
"Recently I was injured for a few weeks before coming into camp, and hadn't played as much as I would have liked to. I've been in the environment enough to know what I can do to add to the team, and how I can help the team out.
"Definitely coming in I was a bit more ready than I had previously been. I definitely know the environment and I knew what Andy wants from me.
"That's all I really wanted to do, get an opportunity to show that I've been wanting to learn, eager to learn. Hopefully I showed that, but it's just the start. There's plenty more work to do."
And O'Toole paid tribute to the work done by Furlong to get him primed for the last two games.
"He's been exceptional," he said. "Being behind Tadhg has been class, he's the best tighthead in the world, and his leadership within the team, he has a massive, massive role.
"For me to learn off him, and as soon as he realised he wasn't fit to play, he just switched completely and wanted to help out in any way he could - made sure I was ready across my detail, that he'd go through stuff with me.
"That's the type of character he is. Once he's back fit, he'll fit back into the team and will do what he does best, but he's been really, really helpful, making sure we're ready, a team-first attitude and mentality."
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