Bryn Ward has no shortage of advisors and he's happy to take on board all they have to offer.
His father, Andy, played 28 times for Ireland between 1998 and 2001; his brother, Zac, is Paris-bound with the Sevens on their Olympic quest; while former Ireland Under-20 back rows James McNabney, Harry Sheridan and Reuben Crothers are on hand in Ulster to share their experiences.
The 19-year-old Ballynahinch RFC man takes his place in the Ireland U20s back row against Scotland this evening (7pm) hoping that a win will be enough to secure a third consecutive Six Nations title for Richie Murphy’s charges.
And having played all but six minutes of their campaign to date – wins over France, Italy, Wales and a draw with England last weekend, he knows the value of keeping fit.
Ward (below) was part of the drive that scored a late try in the Rec to keep Ireland’s hopes alive, while he was also on hand to repel Italy in Cork as the visitors threatened to score a late winner.
Staying fit is something that’s been hammered into him since he was a kid.
"The main thing is just about how fit you’ve got to be to play in the back row," Ward tells RTÉ Sport when asked what tips his father passes on.
"My brother, for example, would probably be a bit fitter than me, moving over to the Sevens.
"The main thing is you need to be a lot fitter.
"[My father] told me to read [former New Zealand captain] Richie McCaw’s book when I was younger.
"The first thing he said was his dad told him that the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the game.
"That was the main thing for me was just trying to be as fit as you can. You definitely need it in the last 20 minutes."
Describing his brother as an inspiration, he says there’s no shortage of tips on tap from him and the Ulster contingent.
"I am really close to my brother," he adds.
"Him going to the Sevens, making that change from 15s, he’s been giving me a lot of advice and tips around how to cope with a lot of things inside and outside the game.
"After the England game, James McNabney was on to me telling me he’s made mistakes on the same thing I’ve done. He’s given me a few tips on them.
"Reuben came in and spoke to us before we headed to France because they had a famous victory over there.
"With Sherry as well, he’s a class player and a really good guy to look up to. A lot of the stuff he would do might go unseen but I’d be the person to notice them"
Andy played in a difficult era for Ireland but featured in some notable wins, including the famous victory over France in Paris in 2000.
The year before he had helped Ulster to win the Heineken Cup as they became the first Irish side to conquer Europe.
"I’d probably have to watch them on VHS, I watched a few highlights on YouTube and stuff," he says of his father’s playing days.
"I’ve watched a few back over the years, especially that European Cup with Ulster, it’s a pretty special one."
England are in pole position to take the title and will do so if they win with a bonus point against France in the last game, which kicks off a full hour after Ireland’s game against the bottom-of-the-table Scots.
But Ireland will aim to put as much pressure on as possible and the current -17 points difference with England appears reachable.
At least the staggered kick-off times simplify the task for Murphy’s men, who won’t have to consider how England are tracking in Pau; they can focus on getting their own work done.
"We didn’t let ourselves down but just left a bit on the plate [against England]," says number 8 Luke Murphy (above), the Clare man who scored the crucial late try in the 32-32 draw.
"This week was about focusing on ourselves and making sure that we get everything right, do as much as we can on the pitch.
"We never really have a perfect performance but some weeks we really improve on some aspects and then other weeks we might let something small slip.
"In general, we have all been good as a group and everyone knows their roles. It’s been really good.
"As a back row [Scotland] have a tough strong pack, a very good maul and just to be physical throughout the game, that is my focus."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Wales v Italy in the Guinness Six Nations (2.15pm) and France v England (8pm) on Saturday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on France v England on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Scotland in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday from 4pm and listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
