It could have Ben difficult
Conan: I will be ready if needed to fill in for Caelan
THIRD TRY Leinster’s Liam Turner scores
LEINSTER
47
BENETTON
18
LEINSTER head coach Leo Cullen praised his side’s composure as they avoided a potential banana skin to go back to the top of the BKT United Rugby Championship table.
The league leaders produced a strong second half to defeat Benetton 47-18 at the RDS, outscoring the Italians 26-0 after the break for a bonus-point win.
“Overall we’re pleased,” said Cullen. “Parts of the first half were not quite there. Maybe that’s to be expected but as the game goes on, I think there was definitely better intent.”
Benetton have been the surprise package of the season, coming into Saturday’s game in second place in the table.
Marco Bortolami’s side ran out of gas in the final 20 minutes, with the visitors’ squad heavily depleted due to the Six Nations.
While Leinster scored three first half tries, they only led 21-18 following a brace of tries for Ignacio Mendy and eight points off the boot of Jacob Umaga.
Tries for Jason Jenkins and Ben Murphy settled them down in the third quarter, before Brian Deeny and Scott Penny put the finishing touches on the victory.
“The lads had a bit of a gee-up at half time. They were definitely better – it was a bit chaotic in the second half but at least there was better intent overall. Scored some good tries,” said Cullen.
“It was nice and composed when we got into the 22 and we came away with seven tries. It was great to do that because it’s not like it was the easiest conditions.” SCORERS: Leinster – Tries: Penny (2), Mcgrath, Turner, Jenkins, Murphy, Deeny. Conversions: R Byrne (4), Prendergast (2)
Benetton – Tries: Mendy (2). Conversions: Umaga. Penalties: Umaga (2)
JACK CONAN’S predicament is known by squad players in every sport.
The Leinster and Ireland back row is one of the best rugby players in the country.
The problem is he plays at No.8 – and the man in front of him in the pecking order just happens to be one of the best back rows in the world.
It just so happens that
Caelan Doris is a good friend, too.
“Nah, I hate him,” Conan laughed. “I absolutely hate him.
“Nah, look, Bogsy’s an incredible player and he’s an even better bloke.
“I was delighted for him to get captaincy (against Italy). I thought it was an excellent choice by the coaching staff.
“He’s someone who’s so calm under pressure, so reliable, so consistent.
“You saw him playing at seven, it’s not a position he’s used to very much but I thought he was everywhere. It’s a testament to how calm he is and how hard he works.
“Throughout my entire career, it’s never been me against someone else. I’ve never thought, ‘Aw, you need to do this better than he does this.’
“My only mindset ever is, ‘I need to do this better. I need to be more impactful, more detail-oriented, I need to be more switched on in certain moments.’
“I’d never begrudge anyone for getting selected ahead of me or anything like that.” Conan made his 43rd Ireland appearance scoring a try in the 36-0 victory over Italy nine days ago.
But the 31-year-old has only had four starts in his last 16 Ireland games – and three of them have come against Italy.
“It was my first 80 minutes in green in a long time,” he said of the second round Six Nations victory that will be followed by the visit of Wales on Saturday.
“So I really enjoyed it, it was brilliant. Lots of areas to improve on but from a personal angle I was happy enough.
“It’s so special to be playing in the Aviva Stadium in front of family and friends in the green jersey so I’m just trying to make the most of it and enjoy it as much as I can.
“Nerves are good and you’re always a bit nervous, it’s just not letting that take over. It’s just about being present and appreciating the opportunities you have in life.”
The key, Conan believes, is to try to seize every chance when it comes. He admits that there have been times when he hasn’t played at his best at Test level.
“Yeah, I think that’s everyone’s mindset when they get the opportunity to play, definitely,” he said.
“I don’t always get it right – but no-one always gets it right. So it’s just about trying to be better.
“In the past I was probably guilty of thinking about too many things, there’s so many aspects in a game of rugby that you can get lost in with all the small details.
“I was writing my notes the night before the game and one of the things I set out was, ‘just make it happen’.
“I’ve had games in the past where I’ve been in and out or not featuring a whole lot.
“With a bit of experience then over the years you realise that those times when you haven’t performed are going to be less and less likely, so you need to stand up for every opportunity you get.
“I just wanted to have an impact as much as I can and fit in and do my job for the lads.
There’s no easy games and no ‘oh, we’ll just get through this now’. We’re trying to be at our best every single opportunity we get.
“There’s value in every performance.”