Read impressed that Barrett chose Leinster over 'free ride' in Japan

Kieran Read's old teammate Jordie Barrett has hit the ground running on his arrival at Leinster.

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, as AIB announce new content series, ‘The Toughest Traits’. The series follows the New Zealand legend as he tours Ireland, learning the true meaning of what it takes to be an elite Gaelic Games player and how #TheToughest players in Gaelic Games balance work, college, and family life with the full-time commitment of representing their clubs. The first episode will be released on Thursday, December 26th, Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Whip up a list of the great No.8s to have played professional rugby and the name of Kieran Read will be somewhere in or around the top five. So it is worth paying attention when the former All Black skipper is asked about Caelan Doris.

The Leinster and Ireland captain has been widely tipped for the same leadership role with next year’s British and Irish Lions team when it travels to Australia and, while Read doesn’t push that particular agenda, his appreciation for the Mayo man should only kindle that fire.