JACK EYEING UP MORE BIG DAYS
JACK CONAN does not have to think twice about his new year resolution to play in more of the career-defining games that he missed out on in 2018.
For as good as this year was, he knows it definitely was not as great as it could have been.
Conan made only one start in Ireland’s Six Nations title campaign – against Italy – as CJ Stander maintained a grip on the No.8 spot.
Then the 26-year-old had to be content with an 18-minute cameo for Leinster in the Champions Cup final win over Racing having missed the quarter-final and semi-final with a knee injury.
He did start the PRO14 final win that secured the double for his Blues but then missed out on the big wins his country had over Argentina and New Zealand last month.
Conan said: “If you told me I’d go on and play six more times for Ireland, I probably would’ve bitten your hand off and said, ‘That would be fantastic’.
“But I think it’s just the nature of any athlete in any professional sport that it’s never enough. When you get to any kind of level, you always want to push on.
“To miss out on those big Tests against Argentina and the All Blacks at home, those are the days at the end of your career that you’ll always remember.
“It’s tough looking back and not having been selected for those. Hopefully, I’ll push on and get more opportunities in those really high intensity, high pressure moments because that’s why we do it.”
Conan channelled his frustration to fine effect when turning in a big display in Leinster’s bonus point Euro win over Bath.
Now he is relishing going head-to-head with Stander (inset) at Thomond Park.
Conan added: “He’s in good form so it will be a good test for me and the rest of the back row.
“Any time you go up against the other provinces it’s a good opportunity to put your hand up against someone who potentially is ahead of you.”