JamieOsborne

Just over a year on from his international debut, Jamie Osborne became a British & Irish Lion.

The 23-year-old from Naas in County Kildare was initially drafted in to act as training cover at full-back, but his versatility saw him earn a Lions debut in the centres against First Nations & Pasifika XV.

Osborne made a mark from the get-go for Ireland, scoring against world champions South Africa on his debut in the No.15 jersey.

Since then, he has played at full-back, wing and outside centre for Ireland, scoring against Wales in the Six Nations earlier this year.

A cameo appearance against Fiji last autumn also saw him kick a conversion, to add his ability with the boot to his other skills.

His selection on the wing in the Six Nations was made by interim head coach Simon Easterby, who praised his versatility and game smarts.

Osborne made his Leinster debut aged only 19 and while still a member of the Leinster Sub-Academy, coming off the bench against Scarlets in the Pro14.

With Lions teammate Hugo Keenan first choice at full-back both for Leinster and Ireland, Osborne has operated mainly at centre for his club, with whom he won the URC for the first time earlier this year.

Osborne has already amassed over 50 appearances for Leinster, with several of those coming alongside his younger brother Andrew, realising a shared childhood dream by doing so.

The 23-year-old answered Andy Farrell’s Lions call while in the back of the taxi on the way to a barbers with his Ireland teammates during their summer tour, a low-key way to realise a career highlight.