Handed his first start of the season against Zebre, the 26-year-old Shanahan certainly made his mark, completing 117 passes – more than anyone has notched up in a single game all season.

To put the number into context, Dewaldt Duvenage was second in the passing statistics for Round 5 with 77, and if there’s one thing you want from your scrum-half, it’s a desire to see plenty of the ball.

It is a statistic that Ulster as a team dominate, with an average of almost 165 passes per match good enough to lead the Guinness PRO14 by over 10; the scrum-half’s central role is absolutely pivotal to their brand of rugby.

Mathewson made 71 as Munster beat the Cardiff Blues on the road, but the New Zealander’s is a truly complete contribution to his side’s output.

He has three tries to his name in 175 minutes of rugby, averages over 4m per carry and is an effective in-game kicker; a Swiss Army knife of a player, the 33-year-old will be crucial for the Red Army on Saturday.

Shanahan, for his part, has notched up a pair of tries and is a piercing ball carrier and support runner, averaging 6.8m per carry on the 10 that he has made thus far.

For two sides that will look to impose themselves on the game from the off and dictate play where possible, this will surely be the battle to watch out for when two of the Guinness PRO14’s in-form sides – and bitter rivals to-boot – face off this weekend.