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Sean O'Brien seems to be edging closer to a move to France as negotiations step up with Toulon.
But for now, the versatile back row is unavailable for Leinster and Ireland due to injury.
And Keith Wood and Gerry Thornley believe that his absence could release Jamie Heaslip from his perceived shackles and return to becoming more dynamic.
"If Sean O'Brien is the best pound for pound player in Irish rugby than Heaslip is pound for pound the best value," said Gerry.
"He plays 30 plus games every season, he hardly ever turns over the ball, he's brilliant at the breakdown, makes great decisions, he's a leadership figure and I think when Sean is not there, you see Jamie carrying a lot more. But you've got to remember that Jamie is not as a young as he was and he's a very selfless team player. Now that Sean O'Brien isn't there, he was visibly carrying much more ball. I thought he was the best player by some distance at the Sportsground last week."
Keith agrees that Heaslip could shine in O'Brien's absence.
"As it got towards the end of the season last year, he started getting back a little bit more of that verve. He's done more of it this year. But I still look back at 2009 and I think he was incredibly explosive. You don't see him at that as much. He's such a hefty man and a guy who plays in that fashion can be beneficial," added Keith.
The lads also discussed the impact of O'Brien's potential departure for himself as well as his province. Coupled with other retirements and , Gerry said the "guts are being torn out of Leinster" with a pivotal summer ahead for the province.
And with crucial Heineken Cup clashes this weekend for Leinster and the other provinces, Keith and Gerry touched on some of the tactical decisions for the head coaches, particularly at fly-half.
Keith hopes Ian Madigan starts for Leinster at Castres because of his "spark", while he also imagines that Ian Keatley will be trusted to start for Munster's trip Gloucester.
