Peter O'Mahony is hungry to make amends after his dismissal against Wales and subsequent three game suspension.
The Munster and Ireland back row was sent off after just 14 minutes of the opening Six Nations clash in Cardiff, leaving his team down a man for the remainder as they fell short.
O'Mahony hit a ruck at speed and his shoulder made contact with the head of Wales prop Tomas Francis.
He was subsquently slapped with a ban that has kept him out of action until this week.
"Look, when it comes to the breakdown and it comes to international rugby, you have to be incredibly urgent, you've got to be incredibly accurate and you've got to bring physicality," said O'Mahony, giving his version of what happened.
"These incidents happen. It's a very physical game.
"You know, I've always played hard, I've always played fairly in my opinion. Look, I 100% was in the wrong with what happened and the incident.
"But I think my team-mates know better than anyone that I was acting with the best intent with the best intentions for the team and unfortunately that's what happened."
Asked if he owed his team-mates a performance against England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, O'Mahony replied: "I don't think they'll be looking for me to put in a different performance than I would any other week that I play for Ireland.
"That would be unjust to the jersey.
"I go out every time to play as best as I can - and more importantly than anyone I think the lads around me know that."
"It's been hard. It's different when you're injured. When you're fit and healthy and raring to go, but can't it's a bit tougher.
"I spent a couple of great weeks with Munster, training with the A team and stuff, helping the seniors prepare for their games. Back here then last week to help the lads as best I could, which I enjoyed.
"I'm not making any bones about it, I'm looking forward to getting back playing."
Like Johnny Sexton, O'Mahony was taken aback by Stander's decision to end his playing career when his current contract expires on June 27.
Having initially told Andy Farrell, Stander and the Ireland head coach then broke the news to Sexton yesterday before O'Mahony was part of the wider squad that was told.
"Very shocked obviously when he told us all last night," said the Reds skipper. "Didn't see it coming - I don't think anyone did.
"He explained his reasons and they're very valid ones, very noble ones in my opinion.
"Everyone would respect his decision. The man has given an incredible amount to Ireland, Munster as well and limerick.
"An incredible team-mate and he's going to give a bit back to his family now for the sacrifices they've made for him.
"We'll hopefully make this week and the couple of months left that he's playing with us as special as we can."
Asked what has made Stander a favourite with Munster and Ireland supporters, O'Mahony answered: "His selflessness, professionalism.
"From the day he arrived in Munster he did his best to buy in to our culture and now he's creating bits of our culture.
"He's a person I'd always think, 'who do kids look up to?'
"You want to be someone young fellas look up to, I suppose it's a nice compliment to give someone. There's kids around, not just Ireland, around the British Isles and beyond who want to be like CJ.
"He's a family man, an incredible friend, incredible team-mate...but most importantly an incredible friend. I can't say much more.
"You see the way he turns up every week. It's no secret that he's never had a long-term injury or any sort of injury and that's down to how he looks after himself.
"He brings an incredible edge. He's an immaculate trainer. Incredibly coachable, his ability to listen and learn new skills.
"The player he arrived as and player he is now, he's come such a long way and he's lapped up (information) from the incredible coaches myself and himself have spent time with.
"Just a competitor, we've all watched him play 50-odd times for Ireland and 150 times for Munster, he's just competitive with everything and that's what made him such an incredible team-mate."
O'Mahony said that it was "really unfortunate" that Stander won't get the Ireland send-off he deserves in front of a packed stadium this week.
"But his team-mates would like to play well for him and give him a good send-off and that will be the most important to him, I’ve no doubt, his family and team-mates," he added.
"But I’m sure there’s lots of people around the country who would love to show their respect to what he’s done for Irish rugby.
“That’s unfortunate but the most important people are the one who’ll be around over the few weeks and we’ll certainly do our very best to send him off on hopefully winning ways on lots of different angles.
"He’ll put his best foot forward as he always does. He shows up every week, does the business, plays with his heart on his sleeve, plays hard, plays fair and he’ll put his hand right up in the air for that selection, certainly.”
O'Mahony signed off his tribute by stating that Stander had added to the legacy of the Munster no 8, following in the footsteps of Anthony Foley and those before Axel, too.
“Absolutely, he’s been incredible for us, not just for Munster but for Ireland, he really has," he said.
"You see his carrying stats and how hard he works there but to do that you have to be incredibly fit and robust to do what he does. He’s probably taken that to a new level when it comes to no 8s that have been around.
“He’s brilliant for the young fellas around, you know the young guys around squads, teaching, coaching and not even teaching or coaching, just having someone to watch to do what he does is enough in itself.
“He goes about his job in a quiet manner when he’s on the pitch, he puts his head down and he’s a guy you follow.
"He might not always be, he makes plenty of noise at times but he gets his head down and he works hard and for the guys around him his work-rate is infectious and it’s great to be around.”
