Jarrad Butler plans to keep his head down, keep playing well and an Ireland call-up down the line will take care of itself
Connacht skipper Butler, 28, agreed a new two-year deal with the westerners in pre-season that was announced last week and, in a year's time, he will be Ireland eligible.
The Australian flanker's arrival came before the residency rule went up to five years.
"I was really keen to get it locked away," said Butler. "I think they were keen to keep me, we were on the same page.
"To get it sorted before the season got started, it just made sense to me.
"We're moving in the right direction and are playing some really good rugby, we're locking down some really strong characters in the team and if we can continue to go in that direction, I'm excited about what the future holds.
"I become (Ireland) qualified at the end of this season. Anything after that (success with Connacht) is just a by-product, really, and if we're winning then it's hard to argue with (Test selection).
"That's why we've seen the likes of Jack Carty, Tom Farrell and Caolan Blade coming through last season. We'll go again and hopefully get a few more blokes in there.
"It's been great for their confidence. We've just seen from the start of the season how much we've relied on the depth of our squad here, we've just guys who are just performing from all over the park and it just makes it so much easier.
"And now especially that we're in the Champions Cup, were you're going to be fielding strong teams all the time, to be going to your bench or even to guys outside the 23 on a given week and still have that really high quality, is going to be massive for us."
Connacht begin their latest Champions Cup adventure with a big home tie against Montpellier on Sunday.
"It's just a big opportunity," said Butler. "I can't wait to see the turnout we get, first and foremost.
"To get a strong performance at home behind a strong fan base, that sounds like a good start to the campaign.
"The guys have been talking about it, that there tough matches in all the pools.
"That's the point of it, I suppose. You want to be playing against the best of them.
"That's what we wanted and we are here now, so we're not going to complain about it, that's for sure.
"You want to be playing the best rugby you can and to be in the Champions Cup is a big part of that, you want to be playing against the best teams in Europe.
"And I think the year we had last year as well, being able to perform and win some big games, to make it into the knockout stages there I think it paints a good picture for bringing people in and then for trying to retain guys."
Ireland internationals Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion have been linked with moves away from Connacht as their contracts expire at the end of this season.
"I don't know what's happening with Kieran at the moment but to be able to lock him away soon would be awesome," said Butler of the Saracens-linked scrum-half.
"Bundee's going to be off-contract as well but I think we're moving in the right direction anyway and I think those guys of those guys signing on this week (Tiernan O'Halloran, Sean O'Brien and Farrell) I'd absolutely be hopeful the two boys will stay.
"I'll get in their ear anyway!".
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