The Journey of Jack Conan with the British & Irish Lions

Jack Conan, the 32-year-old rugby star from Bray, has recently described his time with the British & Irish Lions as "the best few weeks of my career." This sentiment comes as the Lions prepare for their first Test match against Australia, a crucial game that could set the tone for the rest of the tour.

A Different Experience from Four Years Ago

Conan's previous experience with the Lions was during the 2021 tour in South Africa, where matches were played in empty stadiums due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reflecting on that time, Conan noted the eerie atmosphere and the absence of fans, which made the experience vastly different from the current tour.

"Yeah, it's chalk and cheese but it's been unbelievably special, unbelievably enjoyable," Conan explained. "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."

The Thrill of the Current Tour

This time around, the atmosphere has been electric, with fans filling the stadiums and creating an incredible environment for the players. Conan particularly highlighted the game in Adelaide as "unbelievable." He expressed his excitement and the joy of being part of such a prestigious team, emphasizing the camaraderie and the challenge of competing at the highest level.

"I think everyone's absolutely loved it and it's been a great challenge so far and we're looking forward to pushing on and being better than we have been in the last few weeks," Conan said.

The Challenge Ahead

As the Lions gear up for the first Test, Conan acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match. He praised the coaching staff for their efforts in selecting the best combination for the back row, a decision that could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the 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 remarked.

Mutual Respect and Motivation

Conan also spoke about the mutual respect between the Lions and the Wallabies, particularly noting the influence of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. He emphasized the motivation and determination of both teams, recognizing the high stakes of the upcoming match.

"We know that they're an unbelievably good side with incredible athletes across the park," Conan said. "And we know how motivated they are going to be for this first Test match in 12 years on home soil against the Lions so we'll have to make sure that their motivation isn't hard on us."

Ready for the Challenge

Conan is ready to face the challenge if selected for the first Test. He expressed his excitement and the pride of being a Lion, a sentiment shared by the entire squad.

"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," he 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."

As the Lions prepare to make history, Conan and his teammates are focused on delivering their best performance and creating unforgettable moments in the world of rugby.