Casey was referring to former All Black scrum-half and still ‘part-time’ member of the Munster squad, Alby Mathewson, whose experience and knowledge he regards as priceless.

“I learn so much from Alby and the other scrum-halves who have also been really helpful, Neilly (Cronin), Jack Stafford, and Nick McCarthy (recently arrived from Leinster).

All the senior players have been welcoming and helpful but also competitive. Last year I was away a lot with the 20s but any time I came back, Conor Murray was helpful. I study him on and off the pitch, you want to be that good.

“I try to take the best things from all the great nines, Murr, Alby, and then two small nines, Aaron Smith and Faf de Klerk, that I want to play like.

“Getting that contract offer from Munster was something you dream of. I remember Thomond Park from the age of four when I was Munster mascot with Axel (the late Munster captain and coach Anthony Foley). Now I’m trying to make the best of it over the next few weeks and hopefully drive on.”

Casey doesn’t intend to allow his smaller-than-usual modern-day rugby physique to hinder his prospects.

“I don’t see my size as a drawback,” he insisted.

“I work on my technique maybe more than the others. I haven’t been running through people at underage and had to tackle low so I wouldn’t be picked on my size anyway, it’s more about zipping around the pitch and getting rid of the ball quickly.”