6. CJ Stander

AGE ON ARRIVAL IN 2012: 22 FIFTH SEASON 75+20 APPEARANCES

It could have ended in tears for the South African, so anonymous was he initially at Munster. The back row’s belief never wavered, though, and he’s now every inch a talisman in the late Anthony Foley mould. Is also poster boy for the IRFU project player policy, himself and Kiwi Jared Payne becoming Lions.