3. Rocky Elsom

AGE ON ARRIVAL IN 2008: 25 ONE SEASON, 21 APPEARANCES

Contepomi was the long-game noughties success at Leinster, but Aussie Elsom was the back row meteorite that trailed a blaze, especially in the three-game lateseason period that turned the province from chumps into champs. A free-spirit whose attitude critically rubbed off.