Conlon’s back with an eye on coaching
FORMER Saracens and Exeter flanker Joel Conlon has his eyes on a professional coaching future after hitting the comeback trail at ambitious Taunton.
Two-time England U20s World Cup winner Conlon, 26, was forced into retirement after neck surgery in 2018 but has recovered sufficiently to play again.
And after spending eight months coaching in Italy before Covid-19 struck, he is ready to embark on the next chapter of his career with his boyhood club.
Conlon said: “Taunton’s my home club, I grew up there and I’m excited to be back.
“I’m so excited to be playing again and while it won’t be as tough as the Premiership slog, it’s still a good standard in National One. Taunton will be only one league below Saracens next season, which is quite weird, so I just want to go out and enjoy it.”
With former England U20s captain Jack Clifford recently retired due to ongoing shoulder issues, Conlon’s recovery is welcome news.
He explained: “I had disc and bone pressing on the nerves in my neck so I had it cleared out, but it didn’t quite work which meant a fusion operation. It’s completely sorted physiologically, but the nerves took longer to settle, which meant finishing.
“When I look back, I’d been in a bit of an injury spiral for a few years and psychologically that takes a toll. If you’re a rugby player you want to be playing but when you go from rehab to playing a couple of games and are then back in surgery, it’s very tough.
“It’s a lonely place and I feel for players that are injured a lot. You’re relying on clubs to be good to you because, essentially, you’re costing them money and not giving anything in return. Fortunately Sarries were very good.
“Taking time away from the game gave me a chance to recover and it’s amazing how good your body feels when you’re not taking contact from Maro Itoje or Billy Vunipola. You actually feel normal again, so I’m ready to give playing another good go.”
Conlon’s love of rugby was reignited in Italy. He added: “After finishing at Sarries I went travelling before Joe Shaw, one of the coaches there, put me on to coaching in Italy.
“Joe had connections at Colorno Rugby Club so they took me over for a bit of experience and I’m really glad I went. Although it got cut short because of Covid, it’s something I’m grateful for and coaching is definitely something I’m going to pursue now.
“I’m halfway through my level three coaching course so I’ll look to kick-on and when I spoke to (Taunton rugby director) Tony Yapp about playing again, he said he had a few ideas around some coaching roles.”
As for playing ambitions, Conlon says: “I just want to enjoy my rugby at Taunton. With promotion last year, everything is pointing in the right direction.”