Winners and losers from Ireland's South Africa trek

It was a remarkable end to the season for Ireland, beating the back-to-back world champions, with their most experienced squad ever, and away from home.

When you put it like that, the tour has been hugely positive for Ireland.

There was constant chat around developing players, rotating selection and fair questioning of the approach after an incredibly long season, which included a World Cup.

There were a few standout winners from the tour.

With question marks over his approach and some of his selections, Andy Farrell has proven once again just how good he is at creating a narrative for this team and getting the most out of them on the pitch, both strategically and collectively.

He has great help from coaches and backroom staff, but that's exactly what makes a great leader.

The Englishman has empowered the people around him to create an environment that consistently delivers defining moments in Irish rugby.

Some of those selections have worked wonders.

Jamie Osborne (above), well-known as a centre, was supposed to make his debut on this tour somewhere around Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw, but has now starred as a full-back, in the absence of Hugo Keenan.

Since the World Cup last year, there’s been a serious gap in Ireland’s succession planning at 15.

Keenan is vital to Ireland’s success on both sides of the ball. Leaving the squad before the end of the season to contribute to the Irish Sevens Olympic hopes, there was a further gap in the backfield.

Osborne, delivered an aerial performance in Saturday evening's win over the Springboks that would fill you with confidence for some time.

He looks so assured in the air. When you select players in any position, you’ve to ensure that they can master the basics of that