Fearless Bernard Jackman insists his late breakthrough for Ireland ensures he will not be intimidated during the RBS 6 Nations.
International recognition first arrived a decade ago when Jackman was an unused tourist in South Africa, but selectors then discarded him until 2005.
The Leinster hooker will make only his second Test start in Saturday's clash with Scotland at Croke Park, after making an encouraging debut in the 26-21 defeat by France.
Paris has proved a graveyard for rookie Ireland internationals in the past, accounting for the early dispatch of several emerging prospects.
But Jackman, whose bulldozing provincial form has catapulted him into Ireland's number two jersey, relished the confrontation against Les Bleus and claims his maturity has given him a steely resolve.
"The result against France was disappointing, but it was great to get a start for Ireland," he said.
"Everyone was saying to me 'what a place to make your first start' - because of all the fellas that have played in Paris and never been picked again.
"But the way I saw it, I'd been waiting 10 years for my chance.
"If I'd had a shocker in Paris and lost the shirt because of it, then it wouldn't be so bad - because I'm 31.
"It's not like I'm starting my career, so I've been given this opportunity and I'm determined to enjoy it.
"I want to stay here as long as I can. I wasn't that worried about Paris, because there wasn't that much expected from us before the game.
"That enabled us to concentrate on our own game and try to pull off a shock."
The presence of rival hookers Keith Wood, Frankie Sheahan, Shane Byrne, Rory Best and Jerry Flannery has contributed to Jackman's long spell in the international wilderness.
But unreliable line-out throwing also hindered his progress - until sessions with sports psychologist and former Armagh footballer Enda McNulty began paying dividends last year.
"Enda came in not knowing anything about rugby and the aspect of throwing the ball into the line-out," he said.
"We worked on having a really strong routine. He compared it to the golfers - every time they putt they have the same routine.
"When you're throwing in you're beginning from a stationary start, so there's no reason why a hooker can't have a strong routine.
"That's not something I've had before. Then he taught me about visualisation. I've taken it all on board, and it's really benefited me.
"I've had problems with my throwing in the past but I've put myself under pressure in training to be accurate in a high percentage of line-outs.
"My stats have been good for Leinster, and I want to make sure they're at the top end for Ireland too.
"Enda has helped me with my confidence, but I've also put the work in and that's a big part of it.
"In the past if I missed a couple of throws, I'd be thinking 'I don't want to throw there again'.
"But now I don't panic - against France I was happy I was throwing to the right area."
The line-out has been an invaluable source of possession for Ireland in the past, but the set-piece has yet to fire during this year's Six Nations.
Also requiring attention is the sloppy finishing that saw chances against Italy and France squandered, and Jackman knows an improvement is needed against the struggling Scots.
"You really have to dominate Scotland up front and get quick ball. You must be clinical against them too," he said.
Teams:
Ireland: G Dempsey (Leinster); T Bowe (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), A Trimble (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), S Horgan (Leinster).
Scotland: H Southwell (Edinburgh); N Walker (Ospreys), S Webster (Edinburgh), A Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), R Lamont (Sale Sharks); C Paterson (Gloucester) M Blair (Edinburgh, captain); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton Saints), N Hines (Perpignan), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), A Strokosch (Gloucester), TBC, TBC.
Replacements: F Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), G Kerr (Edinburgh), J Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), TBC, C Cusiter (Perpignan), D Parks (Glasgow Warriors), N De Luca (Edinburgh).
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