Jordan Larmour’s incredible season is just 80 minutes from yet another accolade and the Leinster tyro says he is like a sponge soaking everything thing in within the Ireland camp.
Following last weekend’s 26-21 victory over the Wallabies in Melbourne, Joe Schmidt’s side head into the deciding test in Sydney in buoyant form after addressing a number of areas in the opening game defeat.
Should the visitors prevail, it would cap off a dream season for the 21-year-old who has has seen two hours’ worth of action off the bench in the two games to date.
With a grand slam, Pro14 and Champions Cup already in the medal collection this season, a series victory Down Under would be the icing on the cake.
Having already tasted victory at Twickenham and the AAMI in Melbourne in an international career that has spanned just five games, Larmour has adapted quickly to life in a green jersey, but insists he has found it more challenging than his performances have suggested.
"There has been more of a step-up, definitely," he told RTÉ Sport’s Michael Corcoran.
"Even the physicality, the Australians are big boys, they run and tackle hard. We have been doing a lot of work on our high ball skills. Hopefully on Saturday we can shut them down again."
The former St Andrew’s student was an early replacement for Andrew Conway last week, while featured for 55 minutes in Brisbane after Keith Earls came off second best to Dane Hewlett-Petty in an aerial challenge.
Both players are hoping to prove their fitness for this weekend, so Larmour’s first Ireland start may have to wait, but Larmour says he is gaining huge experience from those around him, particularly his wing rival Earls.
The Munster man has worked hard on his aerial game in recent seasons and others in camp have fed off his advice, none more so than the Leinster prodigy.
It is something that has proven invaluable against a Wallaby side which have looked imperious at times in the air, with Israel Folau dominating the first encounter between the sides.
"We’re always learning. I’ve been picking up a few tips from Earlsy in the air and things like that defensively.
"Just seeing how other players operate, try to mimic them and take aspects of their game and add them to your own game is a big help. This tour has been a great experience."
Schmidt will name his team on Thursday and for the entire squad, it is a case of doing everything in their power to finish the series off.
"It’s a massive, massive game. We are not going to leave any stone unturned this week. We talked about it when we went 1-0 down how big it would be to come back to a 2-1 victory.
"It’s the last week of the season and we are looking to finish on a high."
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