Jack Conan had more than a bounce in his step on Saturday evening as he made his way to speak to the assembled press pack following the champions’ opening day victory over England in this year’s Six Nations Championship.
With a deserving Guinness in hand, and smiling from ear to ear it was clear to all that Conan had enjoyed his day. And who could blame him.
Missing from the international arena for almost a year due to a variety of reasons, Conan struggled to hide his pride as he made a telling return to the green jersey.
“Unbelievable. Absolutely loved it,” said the Leinster man.
“I think I’ve just told myself all week that I have I haven’t played since the 16th/17th March last year so, ten odd months, eleven odd months. I was just unbelievably excited to just get back in.
“When you are missing obviously South Africa, expecting a baby so that was far more important than rugby, but missing November with an injury; you’re missing the environment, you’re missing the craic the lads.
“So, I was unbelievably excited to get back out there today. It’s so special.
“The group, the atmosphere, the culture of the group is so incredible and it’s something that’s been honed and orchestrated by the management, Si (Simon Easterby), Faz (Andy Farrell) everyone Paulie (Paul O’Connell), Fogs (John Fogerty) everyone and it’s just a special place to be.
“I’ve been bouncing everyday I’ve been in and it’s an incredible privilege. As you get older you realise most of your good days are behind you so I just want to make most of every chance I get and I felt that I did that today which is important to me.”
Eager to make up for lost time, Conan delivered a tour de force when introduced in the second half. The Leinster man being one of a number second half substitutes that made a telling contribution when introduced.
“I wasn’t privileged to play in November but I think speaking to the lads and the management, in the last twelve days in the build-up, we were a little bit unhappy with how we performed in November. We were just a little bit stop-starty and not into our flow.
“We come in today, England in the Aviva is always incredibly special and I think we really hit our straps in the second half in parts. A little disappointing to concede right at the death. It just kind of takes the sting out of things a little bit because you feel like, jesus, we really should’ve held them out.
“But it’s a credit to England, they kept on playing. But it’s a stepping stone. Every game is a stepping stone to get better. We’re never the finished product and we know we have to get better because Scotland next week will be a completely different challenge to England today and how they play.
“Their depth and their width, Finn Russell and what he can do and stuff like that. We know that was a good start today but we have to push from that.”
