Priorities are easily defined: Win the AIB League Division One with Lansdowne and get married next year, assuming of course he survives the stag party in Amsterdam. Kurt McQuilkin wisely chooses not to order his goals, in public at least.
The New Zealand-born, naturalised Irishman, is aware that at 32 years of age neither the mind nor the body are likely to be willing for too much longer. This could be his last season playing senior rugby.
Last year he believed that he had bowed out of representative rugby, captaining Leinster in the inter-provincials and European Cup and then announcing his retirement from that level. Fate and coach Mike Ruddock decreed otherwise, an entreaty to don the colours against Begles-Bordeaux in France proving irresistible.
"I was happy to help out, once Mike knew that he was getting a guy that hadn't played rugby for seven months due to a couple of injuries. There was a mention of the fact that I had just returned from four weeks' holidays but the truth of the matter was that I hadn't touched a ball for much longer.
"Leinster were stuck because of a huge injury list, in fairness they would have had to have been to give me a call." Not only did McQuilkin play against Begles-Bordeaux but also in Leinster's final match against Llanelli.
Last summer Lansdowne ventured that the Rugby Development Officer with the Leinster Branch might like to captain the club once again. "I felt that I owed them a season, given that last year, I managed only eight games for the club in total. I didn't do the honour they bestowed on me justice."
That can be attributed to a broken toe and then a bizarre training accident in which the affable McQuilkin partially dislocated his hip. "Conditions were muddy, I was simply running along and stopped suddenly and that was it. Two days later I received the news when examined by the medical team. It's fair to say that I have taken some stick about that, particularly given my age.
"I decided to give it one last season before I hang up the studs." McQuilkin concedes that there is an air of anticipation in the club this season as a result of a comprehensive recruitment drive. The arrival of Gabriel Fulcher, Reggie Corrigan, Barry Everitt and others is exactly what was required.
"They have strengthened immeasurably the existing squad and this has helped offset the loss of players like Eric Elwood, Alan Reddan and Mark McDermott. The new arrivals have gelled and that is important." Whispers suggested that Lansdowne would lack resolve and character when things got tough, that money could buy quality but not necessarily unbending commitment.
"I think that's fair comment. The proof will be in the matches ahead. Most are professionals so there won't be too many excuses. We got a bit carried away after a good start last year and ended up in the relegation fight, this time those lessons will be heeded."
An opening day victory against Cork Constitution should have been more comprehensive given that Lansdowne threw away a certain seven points when full back Rory Kearns stepped over the dead-ball line when cutting back towards the posts. So what did the captain have to say?
"I couldn't possibly repeat it in a family newspaper. There was a barrage of words in which I made my feelings clear. In fairness it was just one of those things, though at the time I was not quite that philosophical. We worked hard to create an advantage and then let them back in by conceding needless penalties."
On Saturday they make the short journey to Templeville Road for what McQuilkin hopes will be a spot of revenge. "They put us to the sword, cut us to shreds, albeit while we had a weakened team last year at Lansdowne Road. We want to set the record straight but the priority is a victory.
"They made a good start with a win against Young Munster and we are aware of the quality that they possess. Our objective is a place in the top four. We would very much like to win on Saturday, but that would not be to the exclusion of all else. This is just one match, we need consistency over a season."
