Damian de Allende believes he has settled in well at Munster and can't wait to make his European debut on Sunday.
The 2019 World Cup winner with South Africa joined the Reds over the summer and made his debut in the rescheduled Guinness Pro14 games in the Aviva.
The 29-year-old has played six games this season with Munster leading the way at the top of Conference B with seven wins in a row.
With most of the senior players on internationals duty for the last two months, De Allende has been leading and learning among the younger members of the Johann van Graan’s squad.
Van Graan, who had been a coach with the Springboks between 2012 and 2017, had previously worked with the 47-times capped international.
Champions Cup: Provinces start European action
"It’s been incredible," De Allende told RTÉ Sport ahead of Sunday's Thomond Park clash.
"It’s been easier for me to settle into Munster because I understand how coach Johann works.
"I’ve worked with him before so I understand his mindset, the way he wants us to play the game, the way he believes in the game.
"For me, over these past three weeks, I’m feeling like I understand not just the game plan but the players on the field I’m playing with.
"Once I started to get a better feel for them on the pitch, I can express myself a lot more and enjoy myself a lot more on the field.
"We have been playing well over these past seven weeks and it’s been a great squad effort and hopefully we can keep the momentum over the next block as well.
"It’s quite odd to say but I’ve learned a lot from the academy guys over the past few weeks. Hopefully they have learned a lot from me as well. It’s been great fun and very easy to settle in.
"I can’t believe some of them are only 20 or 21. I’m 29 and I think I act a lot more childish that they do.
"I don’t think when I was that age I was [handling myself that well].
Harlequins have won two of their opening three games in the Premiership and have recently signed South Africans Wilco Louw, Tyrone Green and Andre Esterhuizen, who is suspended for Sunday's clash.
"Harlequins have a great side," said the former Stormers man.
"They have just signed a couple of more South Africans now so it's going to add to their bulk in the pack...so hopefully the weather is good and not very set-piece orientated so the guys can get stuck in a bit. It’s going to be a great battle."
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