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"But also it's exciting to work as a back row and get the best out of each other. It will be great to learn from them and to play with them."

So far, this season, the game has lavished only glory and garlands on the back row star.

He was manhandled by Saracens' back row last weekend, but still emerged victorious.

His own rugby career was brief, playing as a back row at university and then a happy half season at East Kilbride while on an internship in Glasgow in the early 1990s.

The back row could now also be a doubt for Ireland's series of autumn matches against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa in November.