Saturday's European Champions Cup final in Bilbao isn't likely to be Jordi Murphy's last appearance for Leinster, but he is aware the end of a seven-year spell with the province is nigh.
Due to join Ulster at the end of the season, his determination to make a substantial contribution on the international stage informed his decision.
Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of Leinster's clash with Racing 92, Murphy revealed how falling out of Joe Schmidt's plans was not an option:
I already made up my mind to look elsewhere. I had a serious decision about whether to go to England, but playing for Ireland has already been my priority. I can only do that if I stay in Ireland and Ulster were the best fit.
Having recently turned 27-years-old, Murphy is already keeping one eye on plans further down the line again.
Born in Barcelona, and still a fluent Spanish speaker, a prospective outing with the Spanish Olympic sevens team is something Murphy is willing to explore once his commitments with Ireland conclude.
A regular visitor to the country, Spain competed at the inaugural Olympic sevens tournament in the 2016 Rio games.
With plenty of friends and well-wishers in Spain's burgeoning rugby community, Murphy considered the possibility of representing his country of birth:
I am still a few years off that but I would never say never to anything.
It will be a case of whether they still want me because I will probably be wrecked by that stage. You never know. It would be great to go back and help out in any way I can.
Still a few years off perhaps, for now Murphy is focused on Bilbao and the rare opportunity of winning this prestigious club competition in the country where he was born, and the city from which he took that forename.
