WATCH: Dave Kearney keen to make his mark; admits nerves about Sunday’s squad decision

“One of the lads joked about turning the phone off for the day and just showing up at Carton House the next morning,” he laughed.

Dave Kearney will go into battle against Wales on Saturday knowing that he could hardly have landed a tougher final World Cup audition.

With the countdown continuing to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt’s 31-man World Cup squad announcement next week, Leinster wing Kearney is among those hoping to make a statement in a tournament warm-up Test at the Aviva Stadium.