An impact player off the bench in the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, Jack Conan is aiming to hit the ground running against Wales on Saturday.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby named his team this morning with Leinster number 8 Conan deputising for injured captain Caelan Doris at the back of the scrum.
Such has been the impact of the three-Test Lions starter in just over 30 minutes as a replacement in each of the wins over Scotland and England, it wouldn't have been a major surprise if Conan was included even if Doris hadn’t suffered a knee injury.
"It's great to get a run out, great to get a start," the 32-year-old said.
"[I was] happy enough with my performances in the last few weeks and [it was] nice to get a break there last week and reconvene and then get to a bit of work and then be hopping into training on Sunday and Monday.
"It's been a good few days and lads are excited.
"We get the opportunity to go on the weekend to make sure it doesn't pass me by and make the most of it.
"It's disappointing to lose Caelan, he's been fantastic the last two weeks and, please God, we get him back for France because he's been incredible leader both on off the pitch.
"He's playing incredibly well both for Leinster and Ireland the last few months.
"So I'm sure he's desperate to get back. He's obviously a fantastic player for us.
"But if I get more opportunity, I'll be looking forward to it."
Conan, set to win a 49th cap, played in all 10 games of Ireland’s winning 2023 and 2024 Six Nations campaigns, but started just twice.
It’s a role the Wicklow man (above) has adapted to, quickly putting aside any disappointment of not getting the starting berth.
"You can kind of see where you're at early on the week with how walk-throughs and training lines up," said Conan, who made 13 tackles, eight carries and scored one try in the two games so far this year.
"There's no, 'Jesus. I thought I was in here for a start'.
"You can kind of put two and two together throughout the week. You always want to play, you always want to be giving it your all and I'd always feel like I'd have the most impact when I was starting.
"But I can't fault it, Caelan is an unbelievable captain, unbelievable leader, he is playing unbelievably well.
"You can see the writing on the wall a little bit and then it's about just being right, you need to get across with detail and I have to cover two positions so I'm going make sure that's all nailed on.
"My focus the rest of the week is just nailing my role when I get on and then bringing a massive amount of energy and impact. Giving the lads around you, who have played 50 or 60-odd minutes, who are a bit fatigued, bring them a bit of energy, bring them a bit of voice, and then make an impact."
Conan missed the tour to South Africa last summer as he welcomed a baby daughter to his family and was injured for the Autumn Nations Series when Ireland lost to New Zealand and beat Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
Despite three wins from four, Ireland players were critical of their performances last November.
But the manner of victories in the opening two rounds appears to show the team have figured out their issues.
"I wouldn't say we are doing anything differently," added Conan.
"The processes that we use and the way we train hasn't changed much.
"It's evolved and it's progressed but it hasn't changed really at all over the last few years.
"I didn't play in November so I don't want to critique the lads that were there, because it was four tough matches but we're just looking to evolve and get better the whole time and add more strings to our bow.
"Even when you think you've mastered something, that's when you have to go back and start the basics again and try to get better. I think that's something that we try to do consistently so there's no big change."
Conan also added to the chorus from the Ireland camp about treating Wales seriously as they bid to claim the Triple Crown. Ireland are overwhelming favourites against a Welsh side who have lost 14 games in a row and are playing their first match under interim head coach Matt Sherratt.
"I have no doubt it's been unbelievably tough for the Welsh lads," he added.
"I think that they'll be galvanised by new coach coming in and everything that's gone on the last few weeks."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch England v Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 4.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
Follow a live blog on Wales v Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.15pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
