Jack Conan is a two-time British & Irish Lion, a three-time Six Nations champion and five-time URC winner – but insists The Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 is the biggest occasion of his career.
The Ireland No.8 has started two games and appeared off the bench in a third on Tour so far and is in contention for a starting place for the first Test against Australia this weekend.
If he makes the matchday 23, it will mark a fourth straight Lions Test appearance for the 32-year-old, who started all three matches against South Africa four years ago.
The Lions were narrowly beaten by the Springboks in that Test series, which was played behind closed doors due to the impact of the Covid pandemic.
However, the Sea of Red is out in force in Australia and Conan is loving every minute.
“Yeah, it’s chalk and cheese but it’s been unbelievably special, unbelievably enjoyable,” he said.
“It’s vastly different to four years ago. With no-one in the crowd, it felt eerie and strange not to have anyone there at what should be the biggest occasion of your career.
“A few weeks with the lads getting to move about, see some of the different places and see a lot of red at the games.
“The atmosphere [here] has been incredible. I thought the game in Adelaide was unbelievable.
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“I think everyone’s absolutely loved it and it’s been a great challenge so far. We’re looking forward to pushing on and being better than we have been in the last few weeks.
“Everyone will be a bit nervous about selection but I think everyone’s gone incredibly well, especially in the back row.”
The back row presents perhaps the toughest selection dilemma for Head Coach Andy Farrell, who has a plethora of options in all three positions.
Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier have excelled at openside flanker, Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum and Tadhg Beirne have all played blindside – while Ben Earl and Henry Pollock offer versatility across the line.
Conan is loving the challenge and admits competition for places has helped him raise his game.
“It’s tough for the coaches I’m sure and hopefully we’ve given them all plenty of headaches over the last while, because I think no matter who’s been out there they’ve taken their opportunity really well,” Conan said.
“It’s about those lads who get to run out on the weekend to do right by the lads who aren’t playing – and the lads who are on the bench and making the most of their opportunity.
“That level of talent pushes everyone on to be at your best. I don’t think anyone can say that they’ve been poor over the last few weeks and I think especially in the back row the standard’s been unbelievably high.
“It’s been a joy to play with the lads and get to know them and I’ve absolutely loved it over the last few weeks.”
While Conan is one of 11 players with past Tour experience, he is not resting on his laurels and knows the Lions face a huge task against Australia.
The Wallabies beat England and Wales during the Autumn Nations Series last year and are improving under former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.
“No-one can ever take away being a Lion for me and playing in three Tests – but four years ago is definitely not the same as now,” Conan said.
“This has been an incredible joy and the best few weeks of my career and I think that’s a sentiment that’s shared throughout the squad.
“Everyone’s loving it and loving the challenge. We are unbelievably excited for Saturday to hopefully we can go out and create a bit of history.”