JAMIE OSBORNE

The Leinster, Ireland and Lions star has a huge future ahead of him

- Words JOSH GRAHAM >> Pics BRENDAN MORAN/SPORTSFILE & GETTY IMAGES

FOR A man nicknamed 'Showbiz', Jamie Osborne is a very unassuming character.

The versatile Leinster and Ireland outside back may be a softly-spoken lad from Naas but he's made a big noise on the field in a rapid rise to the big time.

The story goes that he got the nickname after being parachuted through the Leinster academy he was a star among the junior ranks and is on a similarly sharp trajectory in the senior game.

A provincial debut came in January 2021 at the tender age of 19 and a few months later, a Pro 14 title followed.

Osborne played fullback in rep rugby growing up. But as a youngster he idolised Brian O'Driscoll and once he progressed from the club system at Naas RFC to the Leinster academy, he shifted to centre. Not having come via Leinster's schools system gives this star a rarity value.

In 2024, Andy Farrell sprung a surprise by picking him at No 15, with Hugo Keenan on sevens duty, in the first Test of Ireland's tour to South Africa.

At altitude at Loftus Versfeld, in a position he'd barely played for two years and up against the world champions - debuts don't really get harder. But he looked at home at the highest level and scored a try as Ireland slipped to a 27-20 loss.