Gavin Coombes says breaking back into the Ireland team remains his big ambition, after he agreed a new two-year contract at Munster this week.
The 27-year-old has been one of Munster's most important players in recent seasons, as evidenced by his astonishing 35 tackles made in last Friday night's win away to Ulster.
Despite being almost ever-present for Munster, the back row has found it hard to impress Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
After winning two caps for Ireland in the summer of 2021, Coombes is still waiting to add to that total, while he hasn’t been involved in the Ireland squad since being released from the World Cup training panel in August 2023.
Given his age profile, versatility and style of play, combined with him being out of favour with the national coaches, the Cork man would have been the ideal candidate for Top14 sides to try lure him away from Munster.
And while Coombes says he would happily spend his career at Munster, his unfinished business in the green jersey is a big reason why he was so keen to stay.
"It’s an easy decision to say yes to Munster, definitely," Coombes said, ahead of Friday’s big Christmas Interpro with Leinster at Thomond Park.
"It's a bit difficult with regards to...I have been in and around with Irish squads and that disappointment is constantly there. That was something to think about; do I look for a new challenge or do I back myself to try and put myself back in a position where I can add to my two Irish caps?
"No one wants to leave their home province, and that was the decision that I had to make and I believe that signing and staying for the next few years is definitely the right option for me."
If he is looking to catch the eye of the Irish coaches, then there will be no better opportunity to do so than on Friday night against Leinster, where his opposite number will be Ireland captain and World Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris.
But Coombes says if he is to force his way back into the mix at international level, it will take more than 80 minutes.
"It’s not just this weekend, it’s about being consistent. Every time you go out, if you’re playing Champions Cup or URC, you’re playing international players, high quality players and it’s a chance to show what you can do.
"I don't think an Irish selection is going to be about one game, obviously when it’s the man who has the jersey you want to put your best foot forward. It’s a huge challenge, it’s exciting.
"There probably isn't an Irish province that doesn't have a strong back row at the moment, is there? So, it's always a challenge.
"They have a lot of quality there, and it's a big opportunity for our back row to put their hands up, and I'm sure there's a lot of guys have aspirations to play for Ireland, the likes of [Alex] Kendellen and John Hodnett and [Brian] Gleeson and whoever else is there, Ruadhan [Quinn], Jack O’Donoghue, all these fellas.
"I'm sure they haven't given up on that dream of playing for Ireland. These are the games, if you make your mark in these games against your opposite number, you could you give yourself a good chance at that."
Although Coombes (above) has scored five tries in eight games this season, and was hugely influential in Friday’s win against Ulster, the Cork man admits to struggling for form this season.
When Munster toured South Africa in October, he started on the bench in the defeat to the Stormers, while he was dropped entirely the following week in their defeat to the Sharks.
"I can't afford to be off my game.
"At the start of the season I probably didn't start the way I wanted to, went to South Africa and wasn't involved, which was a setback and a disappointment.
"And that's probably what lit the fire and then came home and built on it against New Zealand and then against Lions and Stade.
"Hopefully now my performances personally are going in the right direction.
"To be honest, I'm not fully sure what it was [that caused his slow start]. When you're in the moment, sometimes you don't see it, and then when I got that disappointment of not being selected, I had a chance to take a step back and have chats with some lads in the squad and with Cathal Sheridan [Munster’s sport psychologist] and the coaches, and figure out what I can work on and how we can work on it.
"All these little things are challenges, and, you know, luckily, I think I'm quite a resilient person.
"If you're pointing the finger, you're getting three or four fingers pointing back at you. I think it's important to look at yourself and what you can do instead of blaming others," he added.
Having got back on track with their win in Belfast, the province will need to be at their very best if they’re to end Leinster’s unbeaten start to the season in Thomond Park on Friday.
Leinster have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent seasons, with Munster’s last home win against their rivals coming six years ago.
And Coombes says they are determined to end that run tomorrow.
"They are our biggest rivals and beating them is up there with one of the highlights of the season if you can do it.
"I think we owe it to the fans in Thomond Park and to ourselves to go out and put our best foot forward and let's see where that puts us on Friday night."
