Ireland's November Tests will add an extra layer of intrigue to this Saturday's interprovincial between Leinster and Munster, according to Caelan Doris.
The sides meet this Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium, with the hosts looking to maintain their 100% start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season, while Munster come into the game off the back of their best performance of the campaign, against the Bulls.
The clash also sees them revert back to their traditional October derby in Dublin, having played this fixture in the second half of the campaign in each of the last three seasons.
Doris was among those named in Andy Farrell's 37-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series yesterday, with the first of their matches against South Africa on 5 November just over two weeks away.
And the back row says laying down an early marker for Ireland selection will understandably be in the back of their minds this weekend.
"It probably adds another dimension," he said.
"I know we've got to focus on the game at hand and winning for Leinster is a big motivation in itself, but from an individual perspective, everyone will be trying to get one over and outperform their opposite number. That probably does add another dimension, in that respect."
Leinster have been well-versed in interpros so far this season, with Saturday's clash their third Irish derby in the last four weeks.
Their recent wins away to Ulster and Connacht have been by just seven and 10 points respectively, and Doris is expecting things to be similarly close this Saturday against Munster, despite the fact that his side have won 12 of the previous 14 meetings between them.
"All the interpros are exciting, for the whole week there's a bit of a buzz.
"But Munster in particular, it’s probably another level because of that rivalry and how deep-rooted it is and how competitive both teams have been over the last while.
"Munster have evolved under their new coaching staff, you can see some more expansive play. There’s a mix of some of their roots, their DNA, but also some new additions in terms of attacking rugby as well.
"The rivalry between the two of us, they always bring their best game. They've probably had a bit of a mixed start but it was definitely a good performance over the weekend [against the Bulls], showing signs of being back to themselves.
"There’s always a bit of a buzz around here on these weeks of any interpro, but Munster in particular, and the fact we’re at home at the Aviva as well. We’re looking forward to it," he added.
"I think we're in a pretty good place. We’ve had some pretty challenging opposition over the last few weeks and come out with some good results. We probably haven’t had an 80-minute performance, or full complete performance yet."
Leo Cullen's side are top of the table after five wins from their opening five games, picking up a bonus-point in three of those.
They've won their games in a variety of ways, however, exemplified in the last fortnight where they shared 13 tries and 88 points in a shoot-out with the Sharks, before edging Connacht 10-0 in an arm-wrestle at the Sportsground six days later.
Doris says their ability to adapt to the conditions has been pleasing.
"Two very different games. The Sharks was a great one to watch, there was some really good attacking rugby. Happy with the result.
"Then going down to Galway, always a tough place to play, the weather tends to be pretty adverse and it didn’t disappoint. It was a bit of a dogfight but very pleasing, quite a happy, content changing room after it. Definitely not our best performance, or most glamorous, but happy to come out with a win.
"The good thing about rugby is you can win playing different styles against different teams. Physicality has got to be at the heart of whatever way you want to play.
"We like to play a bit more of an attacking game but also you've got to have that physicality and directness as well. It’s good coming up against oppositions who are trying different things.
"I think we’re in a pretty good place. We’ve had some pretty challenging opposition over the last few weeks and come out with some good results. We probably haven’t had an 80-minute performance, or full complete performance yet.
"Going back over the years that tends to be needed against Munster, or close to it anyway. They’ve had some fast starts, particularly over the weekend.
"Trying to manage the first half in particular and going out all guns blazing is going to be important.
"In terms of Munster, their best performance was at the weekend, by far, but we know that - similar to here - things will probably go up a level in terms of their preparation and mindset going into this week. We’re expecting them to come out and bring their best game."
Watch Leinster v Munster in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
