Six months ago, the prospect of an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam was far from the mind of Ben Carson.
The Ulster academy centre feared his career in rugby may have been over, confined to his bed after a sickening injury playing for Ulster A against the Connacht Eagles.
The Banbridge man suffered a punctured spleen, from which he only returned to action in January.
But it could have ended his career entirely.
"I was sort of bed ridden for a couple of weeks," he says, as he and his teammates prepare for their U20 Grand Slam decider against Scotland this Sunday.
"And it was a pretty tough time for me because I didn't know if I was going to be able to play the game at a high standard ever again. So it was a tough time.
"It took two or three months until I could properly run and lift weights and train properly again after that injury so it's been a long journey trying to get back into the Irish team, but obviously with perseverance from myself I didn't give up and knew that I could hopefully get there."
Having initially been warned he might not be able to play the game at a high level again, he spent four months out in total, before picking up game time with Banbridge in the All-Ireland League.
"That's what rugby is all about, you have to be ready to perform when you are called upon. I'm happy about that."
And while he featured in Ireland's U20 Six Nations campaign in Cardiff last summer, his injury layoff saw him initially miss out on Richie Murphy's squad for this season's tournament.
But an injury to Ben Brownlee saw Carson drafted into the group in recent weeks, before he started at inside centre in last week's vital win away to England.
"I was distraught, everyone plays the game because they love it, and to be told you might not be able to play the game you love again was pretty heart-wrenching for a while.
"But I didn't really think about it too much after that, I sort of had a mindset of coming back better than ever, hopefully. So yeah, I'm very grateful to be back.
"I was probably out for four months.
"I was getting game time and stuff with my club and I was lucky enough that one of the centres (Ben Brownlee) got injured. It opened up a gap for me.
"That's what rugby is all about, you have to be ready to perform when you are called upon. I’m happy about that."
In a heartwarming twist, his centre partner against England was fellow Ulster and Banbridge man Jude Postlethwaite, with whom he goes a long way back.
"Me and Jude have been close since we were yay high," he laughs.
"We went to the same primary school and have been mates ever since. We have played a lot of rugby growing up and were really excited to play against England there on the weekend on the big stage.
"As we said previously the squad gels so well. Me and Jude in the centre, we are very good mates and that helps so much to perform on the field. It's been good."
Carson will be hoping to retain his place in Murphy's side when the head coach coach confirms his XV to face Scotland this Sunday at a sold-out Musgrave Park.
A win for Ireland would see them secure just a fourth age-grade Six Nations title, and a third Grand Slam.
But the 20-year-old says they're doing their beat to treat the finale like any other game.
"Oh, it would be unbelievable," he added.
"We're not thinking that far ahead just yet, we've got one game in hand and we're focusing on beating Scotland.
"I think it will be special for all of us to hopefully win that Grand Slam but I don't want to get too excited too early, like the rest of the lads. We've got a game in hand and need to focus on that.
"The last few days have been exciting. England was a good result and that carries in. You are getting everyone telling you how good you are; everyone is so excited for you but you just have to block that out and focus on the next job.
"Hopefully that next job will be beating Scotland and winning the Grand Slam."
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