Hugo Keenan is relishing his first Shed end experience as Leinster strive to stay ahead of the pack in Europe.
A keen Chelsea supporter, Keenan loves it when Leinster and Ireland are playing in a big match atmosphere to what he sees in the Premier League.
Leinster's senior coach Stuart Lancaster has let the Blues players know what to expect in what could be a raucous Kingsholm crowd as Gloucester look to produce a serious backlash to their RDS drubbing before Christmas.
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"Stu has touched on a small bit with us about how proud the club is, the history they have, they have always been one of the top sides," said full-back Keenan, who makes his 50th appearance for the province tomorrow.
“I’ve never been there myself but the coaches were there at the weekend, and even watching the Saracens game you could feel the crowd and how they get in behind them and how passionate they are and it is a real rugby stronghold.
“It does excite me, definitely. I know three of my best friends are going over.
“They've got tickets for The Shed and they're telling me they are so looking forward to it.
"Hopefully there'll be a good colourful Leinster contingent traveling as well because our fans always turn out in numbers, they always have the blue and it'll be good.
"Normally the blue stands out in the red of Thomond, so hopefully it'll be the same this weekend."
The focus is on Leinster for the next two weekends before it quickly shifts to Ireland duty and the Six Nations campaign.
Keenan is delighted that his Leinster colleagues Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are on course to be back in time for the championship opener in Wales on February 4.
"It's great," he said. "They are obviously two huge figures, two huge personalities and key players, both for Leinster and Ireland.
“So the sooner we can get them back for both sides, the better. To have them available would be brilliant."
As for himself, Keenan says his focus is on trying to be more of a leader as he hits the half century cap mark for the province.
"Delighted to get the chance to reach 50," he said. "I don't think Sevens really slowed me down, to be honest I think I was just a slow burner, so I can't blame that.
"I still remember when (former Leinster academy coach) Peter Smyth told my dad he thought I was going to get 50 caps for Leinster and I never believed him, to be honest.
"It will be a special one, it's not quite 100 or anything like that, which a lot of lads have achieved, but it's still a proud accomplishment for me and my family, for everyone who has helped me get there.
“I'm trying to improve. Naturally, it probably wouldn't have come to me.
“I was probably very reserved when I came in here but Stu is very good at encouraging you to speak up, encouraging you to have a point of view.
"I've grown in confidence and my knowledge of the game has grown as well over the course of the year so I'd like to think I'm stepping up more and helping out because the coaches are trying to empower us and trying to give us a bit of ownership.
"So there's a bit of responsibility on us, especially now that I'm getting more experienced to do it."
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