Simon Zebo's flair and ruthless tryline instinct made him a once-in-a-generation player

For those prepared to indulge such instinctiveness in their rugby players it has been a privilege to watch Simon Zebo over this past decade and a half.

Simon Zebo of Munster celebrates after scoring his side's second try during the Champions Cup Pool 3 Round 3 match against RC Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

It would be extremely difficult to separate memories of Simon Zebo the try-scoring phenomenon from the infectious smile and big personality that always accompanied the moments that will make the soon-to-retire Munster wing one of Irish rugby’s all-time greats.

Equally, it would be wrong to focus purely on that personality as the attribute that most defined the 34-year-old during his 15 years as a professional player with Munster, Racing 92, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.