Friday 16 March 2018 12:24, UK
Ireland full-back Rob Kearney is determined to enjoy Saturday's Six Nations Grand Slam decider more than his last one in 2009.
Kearney and captain Rory Best are the only survivors from the team that completed a clean sweep with victory over Wales nine years ago, where a 78th-minute drop goal from Ronan O'Gara clinched a dramatic 17-15 win.
Kearney still has regrets from that Cardiff thriller and has been telling his team-mates to make sure they seize the opportunity when they face England at Twickenham.
"I probably didn't enjoy 2009 as much as I would have liked to," said the 31-year-old. "I went into my shell in the game and didn't really express myself a huge amount.
"I always promised myself that if I got another opportunity at a Grand Slam I wouldn't do that.
"We don't need to keep our feet on the ground - we're playing England at Twickenham. They're a superb team and we know how difficult a challenge it's going to be, but we've a lot of faith in our own ability and are really excited to go out and give it our very best shot.
"We feel we haven't hit the heights that we're capable of just yet. Probably more than winning the game and the Grand Slam, that has been our focus this week, trying to fulfil our potential a little bit more than we have in the last four rounds."
Eddie Jones has again dominated the headlines this week after footage emerged from a talk last July where the England head coach referred to Ireland as the "scummy Irish".
Jones has since apologised for the comments but Kearney says it has not impacted on Ireland's preparations.
"It's typical Eddie, isn't it?" he said. "It's some tongue in cheek which he has apologised for.
"It hasn't reflected a huge amount with the players or the group. The greater public have probably taken to it a little bit worse but we try to close rank and be very focused on ourselves.
"Anything that happens outside the group, albeit from the opposition coach, is just noise really."
Mentally and physically I'm in a really happy place at the moment and very excited for the weekend.
Kearney wins his 83rd cap on Saturday after shaking off an ankle knock and after some injury-interrupted seasons, the Louth native is pleased with his current form.
"I've had a bit of trouble with my body over the last few years," he said.
"The biggest thing for me was getting a run of games under my belt. I've managed to do that this season - I've played 13, 14 on the bounce which for me is an awful lot of games.
"I'm really thankful of a huge amount of people. The strength and conditioning staff have put in a lot of hard work with me on a daily basis, helping me stay quite durable this season.
"When you get that bit of durability it's only natural that your form will start to come with it too.
"Mentally and physically I'm in a really happy place at the moment and very excited for the weekend."
