Nine Tests to go to the Rugby World Cup for Ireland after today - and Nick Timoney will use the chip on his shoulder to get on the plane to France.
Timoney, a Dubliner plying his trade for Ulster, has had a taste of international rugby and earns his third cap against Fiji this afternoon.
He is realistic about where he stands in Andy Farrell's thoughts. But the 27-year-old also knows that things can change quickly.
READ MORE: Jack Crowley in the right place at the right time and urged to seize Ireland chance
After all, he woke up in Belfast on the morning of the third Test of last year's Autumn series and, several hours later, was lining up for the anthems after a late promotion to the bench because Iain Henderson had to cry off.
"It's been like 15, 16 months since I've last been picked for a Test match," pointed out Timoney, referring to his debut against Japan in the 2021 summer series.
"I'm fully aware of that, how hard it is to get in and once you get your chance you've got to go and take it.
"So yeah, it's nine Tests to go to the World Cup and it's getting pretty serious.
"This game is huge. It's nearly a year since I actually last played in the Test team.
"I'm fully aware of how hard minutes are to come by, and games are the same. It's never going to be handed to anyone so you've got to put your hand up.
"The thing is, the competition is so tough but it's about not feeling sorry for yourself, physically and mentally getting your body back and ready to go.
"A lot of the time you sort of feel beat up but if you can get yourself going again, you can get yourself in a good place."
The flanker is made of the right stuff for the fight. While not massive in size, he was the top tackler in the URC last season - and in the Champions Cup pool stages.
There is little time for reflection, however, as he relishes the journey ahead - and the possibility of a first World Cup.
"The thing I have tried to do is keep looking up because ultimately I feel like if I have a chip on my shoulder, and I am that bit hungry then I will play better," Timoney explained.
“I mean, if you had told me five years ago that I was in the Ireland squad preparing for a game against Fiji in the middle of a series where the team had just beaten South Africa I would have been delighted.
"But you owe it to the team once you get to this stage. If you're sitting happy with where you are then you’re not pushing the standard forward that much.
"So it's looking at all the potential that I think I have. Like, I wasn’t involved last week and you want to be involved in those games.
“So it’s looking at it like you are close to these kinds of experiences - and if you can keep pushing on and getting better then maybe you can be part of them as well.
"That’s how I try to look at it, what I can potentially achieve off the back of this.”
For some players, that could result in trying to overdo things when the chance comes.
Some didn't help their chances in Ireland A's heavy loss to the All Blacks XV at the RDS eight days ago, a game in which Timoney played in but still made the cut for today's Test.
However he is confident in his ability to find the right balance in his efforts to impress.
"My nature is to be in the system and do things well and I can do that while still being a bit angry and a bit pumped up. I trust myself to not do anything off the wall," he stated.
"I understand how incredibly privileged I am to be a part of this team and that’s not something I will ever take lightly.
"When you see it in here, you want to be part of it in the Test matches against the best players and teams in the world and winning and doing all these incredible things.
“That’s where I want to be, that’s where we all should want to be.
"So I look at that - and I look at how if there was something limited in me, then I would be maybe less bullish about it.
"But I think I have the potential to be a part of it. I am capable of getting to that level. It's just getting the consistency to get there.”
READ NEXT:
Rhys McLenaghan names 'greatest female boxer of all time' Katie Taylor as his sporting hero
Robbie Keane and Jack Grealish among footballing figures to wish Shay Given's son a happy birthday
Simon Cotter rejects claims Ireland will take a casual approach as Fiji prepare for Aviva showdown
Stephen Bradley opens up on why Damien Duff had to leave Shamrock Rovers
