Jack Conan believes the 'Lions effect' is not a factor in Ireland’s recent run of defeats and expects a big performance against Italy this afternoon.
Fifteen Irish players were selected for the initial squad for the victorious Lions tour last summer, led by Andy Farrell and a number of Irish coaches.
With Ireland struggling to replicate the form that saw them claim back-to-back Six Nations championships in 2024, a Lions hangover was attributed as part of the reason for the Autumn defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, with a number of frontline players injured or with little game time under the belt.
The comprehensive loss to France in the Six Nations opener was further proof for some that that impact of having so many Irish players, and indeed coaches, involved in the Lions set-up has negatively impacted the Irish team.
Conan, who started all three Lions Tests in Australia to replicate his feat in South Africa, comes back into the Ireland XV after an impressive cameo off the bench in Paris, gives such an opinion short-shrift.
"I think that's nonsense really, to be honest with you," he said.
"I think that's probably people looking for an excuse or a headline or something like that."
So where did it go wrong in Paris?
"I think our physical intent was probably the area that let us down the most," he said.
"Which is disappointing because even you look back to November and South Africa, I think we pitched up really well physically.
"We were a little bit off in that area against a really good side (France) and gave them easy inroads so that's probably the most disappointing thing."
Injuries and form are issues Farrell and every other coach must contend with, but with a number of key players the wrong side of 30 and only Ulster showing consistent form among the provinces this season, there is a suspicion in some quarters that the national team may be in for a period of transition.
The 33-year-old however isn’t in agreement, adamant that the Paris debacle was a once-off.
"I think there's too many good players and good people in the squad and the building for it to be kind of a systemic thing," he said.
"We have a great opportunity to bounce back this weekend, but it's disappointing in the way that we performed (against France) and no matter what happens going forward, we'll look back and think we just weren't on it that day to the level that we have been pretty consistently over the last few years.
"I think it was probably a little bit the same last year when we played France in Dublin, just trying to get ourselves out of trouble quicker than we needed to, trying to solve problems in ones and twos instead of backing the system a little bit more like we should have.
"So that's a shortcoming of the players, not the coaches."
Farrell’s half a dozen team changes are split equally between backs and forwards, with Conan joining James Ryan and flanker Cormac Izuchukwu in a re-jigged forward unit.
After continued scrum issues over the last twelve months, the Irish pack held up well in Paris against formidable opposition, with the lineout (94%) also a strength.
It was the Irish attack that really failed to fire. More opportunities should present themselves against Italy, and Conan insists the offensive side of their game was undermined in Paris by individual errors.
"I think we're trying to evolve," he said when asked to assess Ireland's attacking game. "And when any team tries to evolve, there's obviously a bit of teething problems.
"I don't think it was so much the attack, rather than more dropped balls at the weekend. I think we maybe had about nine knock-ons. I know the weather was greasy, but they made it look fairly simple at times.
"It's hard to get into your attack and really get any flow when there's a lot of disjointed dropped balls."
Captain Caelan Doris has shunted to openside to accommodate Conan at the base of the scrum and the Wicklow native says the number on the jersey isn’t the most important factor
"If I'm playing 8, it's kind of home sweet home. I am well used to and I enjoy playing with Caelan. In my eyes he’s one of the best 8s in the world, and a great bloke which is most important, and a fantastic leader for this group.
"You want your best players out there and to try new things. Maybe it will happen this weekend, maybe it won't. We'll have to see."
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
