Peter O'Mahony says a 13-month injury absence for Ireland has taught him to savour every moment in a green shirt ahead of this third time captaining the side in Saturday's Test against Canada (Kick-off 7.15pm Live on RTÉ 2 and Radio One).
The Munster back-row tore his cruciate ligament in Ireland's World Cup victory over France last year and only returned to provincial action last month.
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"I'm delighted to be back. It's been a while now," he told RTÉ Sport.
"Seeing lads achieve a lot over the past 12 months, it's tough watching on.
"I remember Donncha O'Callaghan used to say, 'you've got to leave it all in the jersey because you never know, it could be your last one'. It hit home over the last few months that he was on the ball.
"You can't take a jersey for granted, whether it's my red one or a green one. You've got to leave it all on the pitch and say 'if it is, I've done it justice'."
The 27-year-old will captain his country for the third time after stepping in when Ireland's North American tour in 2013 clashed with the Lions trip to Australia.
"To be picked as captain for tomorrow is a huge honour again," he said.
"You never take an Irish jersey for granted but it's a little bit extra special when you're captain, and it's something I'm really looking forward to.
"I've a bit more experience. I've a couple more caps under my belt for Munster and Ireland, played with very good, experienced players and learned a huge amount.
"Playing with guys like Brian O'Driscoll, Paulie [O'Connell], you'd be a fool not to learn from these guys"
"Some of the players I've played with have been the experience bedrock of the Irish and Munster teams.
"Playing with guys like Brian O'Driscoll, Paulie [O'Connell], you'd be a fool not to learn from these guys.
"Hopefully I've picked some stuff up off them and come up with some of my own stuff and I can bring that into the game tomorrow."
Ireland's opponents at the Aviva Stadium would have been big underdogs regardless but the Corkman believes that last week's historic first victory over the All Blacks in Chicago puts extra pressure on a brand-new XV to perform.
"We've got a big job to do to back it up after last week," he said. "It's a big Test against a very experienced Canadian side.
"From 1 to 23, every one of us is looking forward to getting out there and putting in a big performance for a special jersey."
Here's your @IrishRugby team to play @RugbyCanada #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/r7NJaxBVSJ
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 10, 2016
That number includes three debutants: Leinster's Garry Ringrose and Munster pair Billy Holland and Jack O’Donoghue.
O'Mahony has no concerns for the newcomers on the biggest stage.
"If you were worried about one of them you'd have a chat but it hasn't been that way.
"They've been all over their work, all over their detail. They're very astute guys. They're looking forward to it, excited to show what they can do and stick their hand up for future Irish caps."
