Joey Carbery gets why people are always comparing and contrasting him with Ireland team-mate and rival Johnny Sexton .
Carbery points to the intense spotlight on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and understands the debate around Ireland's no 10 situation is "part and parcel" of the game.
It was a debate that blew up during the 2011 World Cup finals in New Zealand, when the established Ronan O'Gara and young contender Sexton duelled for starts.
With a year under his belt as the regular out-half at Munster , Carbery has grown in confidence and will want plenty of game time in the upcoming World Cup in Japan.
"All I can do is get myself where I need to be come Japan," said the 24-year-old.
"Hopefully, touch wood, everything goes well and then we'll see where we go from there.
"I just have to focus on getting my game up to a place where I can perform if I'm picked for the World Cup.
“There are different aspects to our own games. I'm just trying to get to my peak.
"Whether that takes six weeks or three years, I don't know how long. If I can get to that then that's one of my biggest achievements.
"Ronaldo and Messi are always compared. There are always comparisons - especially with 10s as well, it's kind of a pivotal position and there's a lot of chat about them, they draw more attention to them.
"It's good to be compared to someone like him (Sexton) because he's a pretty good player!
"It does change quickly and with injuries, anything can happen, so that's why I'm kinda just trying to get myself better each day rather than kind of guess what might happen.
"And if I'm called upon, if I'm lucky to be involved in some games, then I'm going to be ready."
A hamstring issue towards the end of the season fully dealt with, Carbery insists that he is ready to marshal Ireland in the World Cup cauldron.
"I've never gone into a game feeling nervous or thinking that I'm not able to do it," he stated.
"But being comfortable in that situation comes from the training and the previous game time you get as well, so this summer will be great for us all.
"We'll be put under pressure with the warm-up games and the level of fitness in the trainings will be very tough. So by the time the World Cup games come around we should be in a good spot."
Carbery is also excited about the opportunity that awaits after the finals to work with Stephen Larkham.
A keen student of the former Brumbies and Australia no 10, Carbery recognises a kindred soul in Munster's newly signed attack coach.
"He was a special player and it's funny how he started playing 15 when he was younger and then moved into 10," said the Athy man, who had the same career progression.
"So it's kinda cool to see how he did that and it will be great to chat to him about it.
"The club are very ambitious so it just shows that they're willing to make the changes in order for it to happen."
Carbery's versatility means that Schmidt could call on him to fill in at full-back if the situation demanded it.
"I'd be happy to do that," he said.
"I feel like full-back is a real open position and you can certainly benefit from being a 10 playing full-back, you can get a feel for the game.
"So if I was called upon, I'd be more than happy to slot in".
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