LISTEN: Tadhg Beirne hoping to build on Ireland form against Leinster

For a man who was surely Ireland’s player of the Six Nations Championship, Tadhg Beirne was as down to earth as ever in this week’s PRO14 Final press conference.

The second row and flanker enjoyed five massive performances in the last few weeks and he will be hoping to bring that same quality of display to the Munster fold as they take on his old province Leinster at the RDS this Saturday.

Although Beirne had a stunning Ireland campaign, he admitted he was not always confident of being named on Andy Farrell’s teamsheet going into the tournament.

“My goal was just to make the squad and once I made the squad it was very much just to break into the 23,” said the 29 year-old. “To be honest when I went in I thought there was a good chance I’d be the 24th man for the first few games with Henderson back fit, James Ryan there and Quinn Roux playing so for me it was about going in there and trying to break into the 23. “

“Unfortunately for Quinn he had to step away because he got injured and then to my surprise I got the nod to start against Wales. It was a massive opportunity for me to just put my hand up and try put in a performance. Thankfully I put in a performance good enough to retain my position and I continued to do so throughout the campaign which was obviously a massive positive from a personal point of view.”