John Kelly is refusing to look beyond securing a World Cup finals spot as Ireland embark on a marathon season this weekend.
Eddie O'Sullivan's men begin a 14-game build-up to the 2003 World Cup when they play a friendly international against Romania at Thomond Park tomorrow.
The game is being used as preparation for two World Cup qualifiers later this month against Russia in Siberia and Georgia at Lansdowne Road. Then comes Tests against Australia, Fiji and Argentina before heading into the Six Nations.
Before all that though, and despite most observers predicting an easy progression to next year's tournament in Australia, Kelly insists qualification has to be taken seriously.
"Our number one priority has to be qualifying for the World Cup," said Kelly. "We've got these games, in Russia and against Georgia, so we want to qualify first of all.
"I know it's a cliche but you really do have to take every game as it comes. You can only start by thinking about tomorrow and then work on from there".
With injuries to fellow wings Shane Horgan and Geordan Murphy, Kelly (28) is determined to grab his chance. But the Munster back is also realistic enough to understand such a heavy season will require a large pool of players.
He said: "Just to be in the squad is great. We have a squad of 30 here this week and I think out of all those 30 players a lot of them will be used throughout the season because it is going to be a long campaign with a lot of games and guys will be getting injuries. So just to be involved is great.
"It is a fairly hectic schedule and you don't know whether you will be in and out of the Irish squad or not. I'm sure the coaches themselves will be looking at it and they will want to make sure the players are fresh throughout the season".