Jack Conan: ‘We’re not worried about the big picture thing. It’s all about the next moment’
There might be external pressure on their shoulders following three seasons without a major piece of silverware, but new father Jack Conan has insisted the Leinster players aren’t taking a ‘big picture’ approach in the opening weeks of their latest United Rugby Championship campaign.
Due to the impending arrival of his daughter Remi, Conan was absent from Ireland’s travelling party for the summer tour of South Africa. This has led to a quick reintegration back into the provincial system for the Wicklow man and he will captain the Leinster side from the No 8 position in their URC opener against Edinburgh in Hive Stadium this evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
After exiting the competition at the semi-final stage for three seasons on the bounce – and also suffering three successive European Champions Cup final losses during the same period – Leinster will be desperate to add to their trophy cabinet in 2024/25. Yet with tonight’s game being followed by encounters against Dragons, Benetton and arch rivals Munster, how the Blues fare at the end of the term isn’t currently at the forefront of Conan’s mind.
“I think for us players, we’re very shortsighted. Game on Friday, game next Friday. Training today, training Wednesday. We’re not worried about the big picture thing. It’s all about the next moment, the next game,” Conan remarked.
“Obviously it has been a hugely frustrating few years. To be so close time and time again, to fall at the final hurdle. It has been frustrating, but we know there is unbelievable quality in the group. I think any club in the world would be jealous of the position we’re in with the amount of international players, the quality of our coaching staff, things like that.
“We’re not sitting here thinking about finals rugby in May or June. We’re thinking about Edinburgh on Friday and then the Dragons next week. That’s the only focus. That’s the only thing we’re thinking about at the moment.”
Tonight’s game is set to be a landmark one for veteran prop Cian Healy, who will equal Devin Toner’s appearance record of 280 for the eastern province if he is introduced off the bench.
The 36-year-old is one of four players in the Leinster match day squad to have featured for Ireland on their South African tour – the others being Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose and James Ryan. There is also a welcome return to competitive fare at scrum-half for Jamison Gibson-Park, who missed out on the back-to-back duels with the Springboks because of a hamstring injury.
Fresh from their inclusion in the Emerging Ireland squad that will tour South Africa next month, Tommy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, James Culhane and Rob Russell will also get a chance to shine against an Edinburgh side that will be able to call upon Tipperary native Ben Healy off the bench.
There is also set to be one debut within the Leinster ranks as former French international Rabah Slimani is listed amongst the replacements following his summer arrival from Clermont.
: J Osborne; T O’Brien, G Ringrose, C Tector, J Larmour; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; M Milne, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; C O’Tighearnaigh, J Ryan; M Deegan, S Penny, J Conan.
: J McKee, C Healy, R Slimani, B Deeny, J Culhane, L McGrath, R Byrne, R Russell.
: W Goosen; D Graham, M Tuipulotu, M Currie, D van Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, D Cherry, P Hill; M Sykes, G Gilchrist; J Ritchie, H Watson, B Muncaster.
: E Ashman, B Venter, D Rae, J Hodgson, M Bradbury, B Vellacott, B Healy, E Boffelli.