Mike Ross insists he is firing on all cylinders for the season run-in after helping Ireland to their first RBS 6 Nations title in five years.
The Leinster tighthead started all five games for the men in green as they snatched a dramatic 22-20 win in Paris to claim the title from England.
And with clubmate Martin Moore quickly getting up to speed with the international game Ross was given a breather in all five games of the tournament.
That means that with a European Cup quarter-final and an all Irish league clash with arch rivals Munster coming up, the 34-year-old is raring to go.
“I’m feeling pretty good. Generally you find in games it’s the 60-80 minutes that really drains you but with myself and Marty (Moore) working away I think it kept us both in good nick,” said Ross.
“It’s good to be back in the Leinster fold. It’s great to be back into a familiar team environment and I’ve a lot to play for this season.
“I think both teams (Munster and Leinster) agree that if you want preparation for the quarter-final of the [European Cup], this is perfect. You get to see where you are very quickly.
“It helps (to beat Munster) but it can work against you. Munster beat us down in Thomond at the start of the season and then they lost to Edinburgh, so you have to be careful how you use it. You take the good from it then you work on past that.”
Visit our official RBS 6 Nations Instagram page to follow all the best images from the Championship
