As he prepares to face the Ospreys at the RDS this Saturday in the Guinness Pro12, Leinster flanker Jordi Murphy believes he is beginning to rediscover his best form.

Murphy hasn’t featured for Ireland since his try-scoring appearance as a replacement in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina last October, but although he acknowledges the need to improve certain aspects of his game, he is beginning to shake off the injury concerns that affected performances.

“I feel like I’m in a better place. Obviously I went through a bit of a low for a while. It was obvious to see. I knew myself. I just wasn’t quite physically right and it was affecting my performances,” Murphy remarked in Leinster HQ on Monday.

“But I feel like I’ve put all that behind me and I’m slowly but surely getting to where I know I can be, so I’m not going to stop here. I’ve got a couple of good games under the belt. There’s still a long way to go.

“I just had niggles. I suppose a long pre-season and it’s been a long season as well. It’s been one of those things. Had a couple of niggles I couldn’t get right, and was trying to stay on top of, but I’m feeling good at the moment.”

As his first appearances for the province came during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Murphy is accustomed to playing in a Leinster side that is shorn of international stars. While the 24-year-old admits that he is eager to add to the 14 caps that he has accumulated under Joe Schmidt’s tenure, he is focused on helping Leinster maintain their current push for a Pro12 play-off spot. “I don’t think my drive is any different. Obviously, having played for Ireland before, I want to be playing in the green jersey whenever there is a chance.

“I’m fully focused playing for Leinster. It’s been a good couple of weeks. We’d a disappointing loss against Dragons [on January 29], but regrouped well. This squad at the moment, we’re on a good run at the moment.”

Murphy also revealed Schmidt had been in contact with him prior to the official announcement of the Six Nations squad — to inform him he wouldn’t be involved for the opening encounters with Wales and France.

However, as a result of Sean O’Brien’s tournament ending injury in the latter encounter, he was recalled to the international fold (along with Dave Foley and Craig Gilroy) ahead of last Saturday’s clash with England.

While he ultimately wasn’t selected in the match-day squad in Twickenham, Murphy may well be in contention for the upcoming home games against Italy and Scotland, and feels that a productive display against Ospreys could help force his way into Schmidt’s picture.

“I was trying to do the best with Leinster and then unfortunately for Seanie [O’Brien], he’s picked up a knock and Joe rang me up and put me into the squad. I don’t know what he’s going to do in the next few weeks, but I’d hope to think I might be in his picture. I suppose the best way to force my way into that picture is to play well this weekend.”