Charlie Ngatai adjusting to Leinster's 'high-intensity' training

Charlie Ngatai will get his second taste of an interprovincial derby on Friday and hopes he can make as big an impression as he did against Ulster.

The New Zealander made a crucial try-saving tackle in last month's game in Belfast, dislodging the ball from Aaron Sexton’s grasp as he dived over the tryline with 11 minutes remaining.

"The team have told me about the interpro' games," Ngatai told RTÉ Sport. "I got a first-hand [experience] of that against Ulster and now we have Connacht this weekend. It's another test for us to see where we can go."

Ngatai made his second Leinster start in Saturday’s thriller against the Cell C Sharks, playing alongside Johnny Sexton for the first time.

It was Ngatai’s best performance to date since arriving from Lyon during the close season but the 32-year-old admits he is still getting used to his new surroundings.

Leinster were tested by the Sharks in a way that they usually aren't at this stage of the URC and they passed that test with flying colours. #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/FYVa2ZcqdI

"It's still a work in progress," he said. "Like going into any new team, you're still figuring out defensive and attacking systems, the way your team-mates play, different lines. I'm still learning and trying to get a connection with all the other boys.

"That's the first time I've played with Johnny, the first time I’ve played with Robbie [Henshaw] outside me, so we're still working on those connections.

"No doubt we'll still be working on them and hopefully we get of increase our game more or get better each time we do play with each other."

Ngatai spent seven years playing Super Rugby with the Hurricanes and Chiefs and four in France with Lyon, where he won a European Challenge Cup, yet joining Leinster was