Josh van der Flier looked like a man with a point to prove in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup win against Sale Sharks at the RDS.
The flanker was an easy choice for Player of the Match in his side's 37-27 win against the Premiership leaders on Saturday, where he scored a try, had another chalked off by the TMO, assisted a try for Jamison Gibson Park, won two turnovers, and combined for 17 tackles and carries. Bundle it together and file it under "all-action".
Stat lines like that aren't exactly unusual for Van der Flier considering he's a 57-cap Ireland international and a former World Player of the Year.
However, it was a timely reminder that on his day the 30-year-old is still the best openside flanker in the country. Van der Flier was back in the starting side having had to contend with a place on the bench for the previous week's win against La Rochelle in France.
The back row didn't quite go full-Michael Jordan I-took-that-personally when asked about being dropped for the win against the defending champions. However, playing second fiddle to Will Connors did light a fire in him.
"I suppose it was disappointing," he says.
"I had a word, Leo [Cullen] spoke to me before he named the team, told me his plan and I completely understood it, and was kind of happy to be in a position to come on and put a bit of impact into the game. I was delighted to be on the field, to be able to win that game as well."
While Leinster took a while to warm up in their final game before Christmas, Van der Flier looked on it from the start against the Sharks. On eight minutes he bundled his way over for a try which was ultimately ruled out for a Ryan Baird knock-on in the build-up, before touching down jus before half time, as Leinster pulled back within two points of the visitors. It was also his break in the 43rd minute that sent Jamison Gibson-Park clear to grab the go-ahead score early in the second half, and from there Leinster never looked like losing.
"I was happy, I probably got the bounce of the ball a few times.
"Any time it's a scrappy game it is normally good for backrows. It’s a very, very competitive group. It’s been a good while since we have had Scott Penny, myself and Will [Connors] all fit. The two other lads have been playing brilliant rugby.
"It is a very competitive position at the moment, it always has been. Each of us know we have to be at out best and it brings out the best in each other."
The flanker was glowing in his praise for the province's new senior coach Jacques Nienaber, who linked up with the squad three weeks ago as a replacement for Stuart Lancaster.
The double-World Cup winner is primarily focusing on his side's defence as part of Leo Cullen's coaching ticket, and Van der Flier says he's already having a major impact.
"He's brilliant. One thing about him, it's hard to describe it really, I find he really inspires you.
"I'd be going into a game wanting to defend for him. He's a really inspirational person in that way.
"The amount of work he puts in is incredible. I've had a few glimpses at his laptop when he's been showing me things and he puts a huge amount of work into defence and goes into the tiniest details. As well as that, I've had a few chats with him, him showing me clips or talking things through and he's definitely been good for me in terms of things I can grow in my game. I think it's been the same for lads all across the board."
Having been given three days off following the win against Sale, Leinster's players will regroup tomorrow ahead of their St Stephen's Day meeting with Munster at Thomond Park.
And while Van der Flier says he doesn't know yet if he'll be involved, it won't prevent him and his teammates from enjoying Christmas Day.
"I love playing that game. I think it's a great [occasion]. The crowd are always on good form, always fairly fired up by the time it gets to it.
"I find it a brilliant game to play in. It's actually nice because if I'm off, I'll eat as much as I can on Christmas day and if I'm not off you're carb-loading for the game so you also eat as much as you want for Christmas day, so I don't think it will affect me too much.
"Either way, I love playing the game so hopefully I'll play."
