Johnny Sexton admits that he has to work at playing it cool this week as Ireland prepare for what promises to be an incredible Six Nations send-off.
The 37-year-old out-half will play his final championship game on Saturday with a Grand Slam on the line against the old enemy, England.
A packed Aviva Stadium will expect Andy Farrell's side to get the job done against a bedraggled visiting side, who suffered a record loss to France on Saturday in Twickenham.
The occasion of his 113th cap will also be a final chance for Sexton to soak up the plaudits of an adoring Irish rugby public in a competitive home match.
Asked if it will be hard to keep his emotions in check, Sexton told RTÉ Sport: "Of course, but once I start getting dragged into that, you start getting away from how you're going to make that happen which is process, performance, and making sure you're nailed on.
"I'm trying to get away from it as much as I can. I knew the questions were going to come.
"I have got a bit more emotional as I have gone on so it will definitely be trying to hold that back but use it as well because it will hopefully be a special day.
"It's special, of course, but it's more about the team this week and getting the best performance that we can put there.
"I'd never be able to live with myself if you don't turn up and play well so that's the focus.
"You take the emotion out of it, it's going to be emotional anyway.
"You're playing England at home with something on the line, so it's always what you've wanted to do and where you wanted to be. It's not the last game with this team, well I certainly hope not.
"We've got a lot more of the journey left so I'm not really thinking like that. I'm just thinking about trying to get out there and put in the best performance I can, then try to get everyone else on the same page."
Ireland have been going through some light training this week at the Sport Ireland campus, recovering from a bruising 22-7 win over Scotland on Sunday.
Sexton, who won championships in 2014, 2015 and 2018, also spoke about what the achievement would mean for his family.
"I go home today for, whatever, half the day and then back into camp tomorrow," he said.
"Look, it goes over the kids' heads, most of it. They do kinda come out with some mad stuff the odd time.
"Luca [my son] is at the age now where he understands what's going on and he's looking forward to wanting to come on the pitch at the end of the game.
"He knows that he only comes on if we win. So they're the things you try to make happen, you try to give your family special moments, the supporters, the Irish people.
"We talk about them all the time but how we do that is playing well and we need to really focus on that.
"It sounds very simple but it's very hard to do in a final when you've got a lot going on. You've got these questions being asked and you've got to deal with it, then park it, and really get involved in the process."
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