John O'Sullivan
His lineage screams pedigree, his bloodlines in the sport unimpeachable. It was predestined Roger Wilson would become a professional rugby player and he has fulfilled that remit with considerable aplomb.
At 22 years of age the former Dublin University student has muscled his way into the Ulster team this season, making a very favourable impression, and was one of the few players to emerge with his reputation largely untarnished from the Heineken Cup debacle at Welford Road last weekend.
From the moment Wilson picked up a rugby ball in earnest as a seven-year-old while living in Derbyshire - the family returned home to Belfast the following year - history suggested he would make a decent player.
Wilson explained: "My grandfather Harry McKibbin played for Ireland and then toured with the Lions to South Africa in 1938. His brother Des McKibbin was capped for Ireland in the 1950s. Two of my uncles, Harry McKibbin Jnr and Alastair McKibbin also both represented Ireland at rugby."
His maternal grandmother sprinted for Ireland so the gene pool was pretty exceptional.
On returning to Belfast, Wilson settled into Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) and while his primary days were spent in the wide open spaces of the centre, his secondary schooling saw him switch to number eight, where he thrived.
He claimed two Ulster Schools' Senior Cup winners' medals at RBAI (1998, 2000) and also played a major role in the Irish Schools' victorious trip to Australia. He was a member of a pretty exceptional national schools back-row team that included Munster's Denis Leamy and Leinster's Shane Jennings. The trio would also be reunited at Ireland under-21 level, where Neil McMillan joined them for the under-21 World Cup in South Africa. Wilson decided to study for a business degree in Trinity, making a huge impression on coach Tony Smeeth.
"He was an excellent athlete, so hard. He was exceptionally uncompromising at the point of contact, going forward at all costs. Quick off back of the scrum, he had that hard edge.
"He was very quiet, wouldn't say boo in a team meeting; you'd have to ask for his opinion. His attitude was very professional in that he trained hard, looked after himself and played to a very high level. In some ways it is the epitome of the monastic lifestyle of the modern professional rugby player.
"If I was looking for a comparison in playing terms, I'd offer Eric Miller."
An IRFU Academy pupil, Wilson responded to a call from Ulster, following an injury to South African Robbie Brink, to take a contract. Study was placed on the back burner as he accepted Ulster's overtures.
A season finding his feet has given way to the determined manner in which he has thrust himself forward this season.
The media hype is not something he acknowledges, dismissing his new-found status by venturing: "I don't really find it a distraction. I wouldn't really read too many newspapers, my priority is to concentrate on having a good season with Ulster.
"The last season I wasn't really involved in first-team action. This time I wanted to try and break in and stay there. Another goal was to try and get some time in the Heineken Cup."
The role model for Wilson among the modern number eights is Scotland's Simon Taylor although he would consider himself to be a different style of player. "I suppose my main strength would be carrying the ball. I like to try and get out in wider positions and I'd prefer it when the game is looser.
"I admire Simon Taylor. He's a modern, number eight; fast, powerful with good ball skills. He's a good number eight for any young aspiring player to emulate. It made it all the more exciting to play against him in the Celtic Cup final."
The young Irishman eclipsed his rival that day, a feat he is managing more and more often. He talks about maintaining his place in the Ulster team as his primary goal, acknowledging with a smile that Ulster coach Alan Solomons thinks he should make Ireland's summer tour to South Africa. "I'll just focus on playing and let others decide if that's good enough."
