I JUST ALL OF THE HYPE

Leinster back row Conan’s not listening to clamour for him to become Irish World Cup starter

JACK CONAN has shut out the talk he could be Ireland’s starting No.8 in Japan but insists there’s even better come from him.

In-form Conan has found another gear recently and was a standout for Leinster in the Champions Cup final defeat to Saracens.

Another stormer in the PRO14 final at Celtic Park will increase the volume for him to get the nod ahead of CJ Stander against Scotland on September 23, when Ireland’s Pool A campaign begins.

But the outside noise is not something that interests him, not even with Ireland’s World Cup squad being named next week.

“No,” Conan said, “I’m sure if I had one bad day it would be, ‘No, don’t bring him to the World Cup’.

“You can’t really listen to that.

People are entitled to their opinions but it’s not anything to do with me.

“I’m just focusing on my own job and trying to be as consistent as possible, doing the best I can, day in, day out.

“The World Cup feels like a million miles away at this stage with something still on the line for Leinster.

“It will be announced soon but at the moment it’s all a mentality of,

‘Don’t believe the hype, don’t believe the noise’.

“Last week when we were playing Munster there were so many articles that they are struggling in their attack and we just had to ignore that nonsense.

“We know how good they can be, we know their attack can be great on its day. You don’t believe the hype that they’re in bad form and they really put it up to us on Saturday.”

But there’s no denying that Leinster were deserved winners to set up tomorrow’s clash with Glasgow, which Conan hopes is a “raucous” affair in their opponents’ home city.

Asked if he has ever played better than he has done in recent weeks, Conan answered in bullish fashion.

“I reckon I can be better,” the 26-year-old replied. “I will be better. I think at times I’ve done some good things and at times I’ve done some not so good things. “Every time you go out to play it’s about going out and showing what you’re about.

“I think I’ve done that well over the last few weeks, I’m constantly improving on both sides of the ball and when you’ve got such quality and talent around you like we do in Leinster, it’s easy to be at your best.

“When you’ve got the likes of Johnny Sexton coming off the bench to open things up and it’s real free-flowing rugby, that suits me.

“I’m happy enough with my performance but there are areas I want to improve – and I’ll be looking to do that against Glasgow.”