Updated 15.00

LEINSTER AND IRELAND fullback Rob Kearney turns 28 today and is training with his province ahead of this weekend’s top of the Pro12 table clash with Munster.

Ever since breaking onto the scene with Leinster as a try-scoring, 19-year-old wunderkind, the Cooley native has been a counter-attacking menace and dominant in aerial battles. In tribute to the jersey he has made his own, for club and country, here are 15 of Kearney’s best moments.

1. Who’s the new kid?

Kearney scored three tries in his first three senior games. 'Back me up Shaggy, I'm heading for the line'. INPHO INPHO

2. He always loved a good fence jump

Three days before his 20th birthday, the sprightly Kearney (in his Own Tree Hill get-up) vaults a fence. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

3. Who could ever forget the blonde highlights?

Denis Leamy's training ground slagging soon taught Kearney the error of his ways. The highlights grew out a month after this picture (September 2006) and the black mane has been since left untouched, save for product. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

4. His Ireland debut on the wing against Argentina

Ireland lost to Los Pumas and Kearney had to wait another eight months for cap number two, at centre, against Italy. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

5. Kicking a conversion against Italy in 2009 en route to a Grand Slam

He knocked over the extras following a Luke Fitzgerald try as Ronan O'Gara was still in a Roman sin bin. Hence, we will forgive him this photo (taken five days later). Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

6. Scoring a try for the Lions against South Africa

7. His stunning drop goal against Clermont in 2012

8. The GAA background, and skills

Paul Gally Paul Gally

9. Superman try against Stade Francais

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

10. That dry Rob Kearney humour on Twitter

11. That parody Rob & Dave Kearney Twitter account

12. The epic breakaway try against the All Blacks

13. Dressing up as K.I.S.S with the lads

14. Another fine try against England

15. He always finds time to support good causes

Rob pictured with Jack Kavanagh and the 2014 Six Nations trophy at the United 4 Jack fundraising match at Donnybrook last week. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

- Originally published 11.47.

‘When I arrived, the majority of the Ireland squad was Munster based’ – Doug Howlett

Here are all the statistics you need to know ahead of Leinster’s clash with Munster