It's been a busy time for the young No8, with an unusual dissertation to complete and rugby matches to be won.
Bath player ratings: Bath’s bright start showcased their attacking intent, but discipline and Leinster's relentless power proved decisive in the second half.
Leinster player ratings: Leinster secured a hard-fought victory over a spirited Bath side in the Investec Champions Cup. While their handling and error count left room for improvement
Bath player ratings: Bath’s heart-stopping clash with Northampton ended in a narrow 35-34 defeat at Franklin’s Gardens.
Academy graduate Orlando Bailey has been handed his first start at full-back for Bath in almost two years in a starting XV showing five changes of personnel and one positional switch from last weekend's 68-10 demolition of Saracens.
Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has made wholesale changes to the squad that went down 24-20 to La Rochelle last weekend for Sunday's Investec champions cup clash against Benetton.
Bath player ratings: In tough conditions at The Rec, Bath battled bravely but ultimately fell to a disappointing 24-20 Investec Champions Cup defeat to La Rochelle.
Ronan O'Gara has laid to rest any concerns that he may rest some of his La Rochelle stars for their opening match of the Investec Champions Cup by naming a formidable outfit to run out at Bath's Rec on Friday.
Leinster Rugby has named its 'A' squad to face Connacht Eagles in the first round of the IRFU 'A' Interpro Championship at Creggs RFC on Saturday.
Round six of the Gallagher Premiership promises to deliver another thrilling weekend of action, with teams looking to solidify their positions ahead of a break before the Test rugby returns in November.