Simon Zebo admits his long-held Ireland ambitions are on hold until he finds his Munster rhythm again.
It is getting on to five years since Zebo last graced the stage for Ireland, and that was on the 2017 summer tour to the US and Japan.
A three-year stint in Paris with Racing kept him out of sight and out of mind as far as the IRFU and Ireland management was concerned, so he missed the 2019 World Cup completely.
Zebo's summer return to Munster suggested the narrative would change but a frustrating lack of game time since saw the closest he has come to a Test comeback was his selection in the wider Ireland squad for November.
But he saw none of the action and, with Mack Hansen's spectacular emergence as yet another high-quality back three option for Andy Farrell, Zebo - who turns 32 next month - it will take something special for the Corkman to earn a 36th Ireland cap.
"I’ve no complaints," said Zebo. "I hadn’t played any rugby so obviously going into November, I didn’t play.
"It was mostly about getting up to speed and then trying to kick forward towards the Six Nations, but I didn’t play any rugby so I’ve no complaints.
"There have been boys in my province and other provinces going well so they’re rightly rewarded.
"For me personally, it’s about trying to get a run of games and get a nice rhythm heading into the back end of the season.
"I feel fresh, I haven’t played a lot of rugby for one reason or another.
"Hopefully now we can have some consistency and rhythm and attack the end of the season and try to win some silverware.
Munster are facing a busy block of games and his goal is to do the business there and then see where that leaves him.
Zebo's start in the loss to Glasgow last week was his 150th overall for the province but only his fifth since returning due to a combination of match injury, match postponements and cancellations due to Covid.
He was also sent off for the first time in his career, against Ulster, in what was proven to be a case of mistaken identity when Zebo and Jack Crowley tackled Mike Lowry.
"I thought it was a disgrace, it was all Jack Crowley’s fault," he laughed. "I did nothing wrong and wrongfully got the blame!
"Yeah, I pointed the finger pretty quickly at Jack.
"It was unlucky, it’s a hard one, the camera angles on the day didn’t support my case too much and it’s a tricky one."
Zebo insists he is not thinking about a late charge into the Ireland squad for the final rounds of the Six Nations.
"I'm solely focused on trying to build up my minutes here in Munster - keep performing as best I can for the lads here and try and get some rhythm.
"It's hard enough when it's stop-start, now I've the opportunity to get some games back to back and just play as best I can for Munster.
"Whatever happens after that, whether it be a last game or two of the Six Nations or try and get in for the summer tour (in New Zealand), whatever, the Irish focus has to be on a bit of a backburner at the moment.
"It's solely Munster and trying to get some important momentum leading into the important games we have coming up."
Munster were happy to offer him another two year deal recently, and Zebo was pleased to accept.
"Absolutely," he said. "It’s great for myself and my family. We’re all really happy.
"This is my home club and the club I grew up wanting to play for. Having the opportunity to come back from Racing and re-join, I’m very grateful for that.
"I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and try to put my best foot forward and see where the chips fall - and hopefully win some trophies."
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