Getting grandad George to the Aviva today was Josh van der Flier's biggest hope this week.
George Strong is a big part of the reigning world player of the year's rugby heritage. He cycled from Waterford to Kilkenny to play for Kilkenny Rugby Club and winning a Towns Cup was his reward.
The rugby gene was also present on his dad's side. Johannes, Josh's other grandfather, moved from Amsterdam to Finglas in the 1950s to start a radiator factory before settling in Wicklow and Josh's father, Dirk, played the oval ball game for Old Wesley, Wicklow RFC and Leinster's under-21s.
READ MORE: Owen Farrell out to spoil Johnny Sexton's dream Grand Slam farewell
The Dutch sporting angle came more from his granny, Johanna. "Every World Cup she’d get us a Dutch jersey to make sure we weren't supporting the Irish, apparently," laughed van der Flier.
"I'd wear it if Ireland weren't in it. I've a Johann Cruyff jersey at home."
Ireland players receive four tickets for home games with the option to buy some more. With a Grand Slam on the line, van der Flier is scrambling for as many as he can for those who have supported his journey to the top.
"I think all my family will be there," he said. "My grandad George hasn't been to a game in...it must be a couple of years. He hasn't been well enough, probably, to come. But we're going to try to get him there and that would be special.
“Say my mum and dad as an example, they would have taken me training since I was five. My mum and dad, my Dad especially, he doesn’t miss many games.
"We could be playing in Dragons and he’d do his best to get over if he can if he can make it work around work.
"He’ll always say he used to go and watch Wesley playing High School, that he’d try and move his meetings around to go and see that or the thirds or whatever it was when I was in fourth year.
"And if he was going to those, he says, ‘I’m definitely not missing a game in the Aviva’.
"The support they’ve given me and the people who have known me all the way through those stages in the journey, it’s nice for a game to have them there for a game like this as they’ve been the ones since the start."
The 29-year-old laughed: "Everyone I've ever known is looking for a ticket. So yeah, it's an exciting weekend ahead."
And no wonder. It is a unique occasion for the no 7 with that famous red scrum cap.
Van der Flier was in the starting line-up as Ireland kicked off the 2018 Six Nations but his championship - and his season - ended when he suffered a knee ligament injury on the day that Johnny Sexton nailed 'Le Drop' in Paris.
He wasn't in the travelling party to Twickenham six weeks later for Ireland's Grand Slam triumph. "I was at home, unfortunately," he said.
Now add into the mix the fact that van der Flier is playing for Ireland for the 50th time today and you get a sense of what today means to his family.
"Yeah. it has flown by quite quickly," he smiled. "It will be a very special day. I'm acknowledging that and obviously the significance of the big game and what's on the line.
"But I'm just trying to make sure it's just a normal game in terms of how I'm preparing, then afterwards it will be very special to look back on. I'll try to enjoy the game as much as possible - but I'm trying to put it in the back of my mind."
Four Ireland colleagues have reached the half century mark during this championship. The narrative has been the same, that winning on the day makes hitting the landmark special.
"Yeah, so it wouldn't be motivating me," van der Flier stressed. "The thing that we've all worked towards is to win big games and trophies for Ireland."
However opponents have been motivated by his status as the world's best player.
"There have definitely been times where there are three lads on me, where I thought I’d have a bit more space, and a couple of times when I’ve kind of felt like someone has enjoyed putting a big hit on me," he said.
"I’m marked a bit more, but it leaves space for other people."
And van der Flier similarly expects England to take no prisoners after being humiliated by France.
"They'll be pretty fired up and ready to get stuck into us, so we're ready for a tough game," he said. "When you do lose, it means so much to you that you want to put it right.
"I can't see them having their heads down. They're all top class players and I'm sure they'll be ready to put in a really good performance. That's what we're expecting.
"You could say we have a target on our back being the higher ranked team. Everyone wants to knock you off the top."
READ NEXT:
Lucky punter takes bookies to the cleaners after €54,629 win from €1 stake
Irish punter Paddy 'Mad' Merrigan takes bookies to the cleaners at the Cheltenham Festival
Conor McGregor eyeing up title bout and Diaz trilogy after Michael Chandler fight
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alert
