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'Hell of a lot more': Ireland’s Jack Conan 'didn't grasp' injury-ruined 2019 Rugby World Cup
Jack Conan admits the 2023 World Cup means a “hell of a lot more” after conceding he perhaps “didn’t grasp the magnitude” of representing Ireland on the biggest stage four years ago.
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The 31-year-old Leinster back-rower feels he has unfinished business at the tournament following his injury-ruined trip to Japan in 2019.
He came off the bench in Ireland’s opening win over Scotland in Yokohama but then suffered a stress fracture in his foot ahead of the shock defeat to the host nation, in which he had been due to start.
Conan acknowledges the forthcoming competition in France is likely to be his final World Cup and says injury setbacks have given him greater appreciation of opportunities at the top level.
“I think every injury changes you,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s warm-up clash with Italy in Dublin.
“For the most part it changes you in a good way. It definitely tests your perseverance and your mental fortitude.
“Bowing out on that stage in the World Cup and getting injured just makes you so much hungrier to do it again and be back there and get another shot at it.
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“Not that I wasn’t grateful four years ago, maybe I just didn’t grasp the magnitude of playing for Ireland in a World Cup.
“But I think because of the experiences I had in Japan they definitely make me appreciate the position I’m in at the moment.
“Hopefully I can take that into the next few weeks and it definitely means a hell of a lot more to me now.”
Conan flew home the day after sitting out Ireland’s 19-12 loss to the Brave Blossoms in Shizuoka and was subsequently ruled out for up to six months.
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His length recovery period coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic and he did not pull on the green jersey again until February 2021.
From that major low and wondering if his international career may be over, he was then selected for that year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa and has become a regular in an impressive Ireland squad, who are top of the world rankings following a series success in New Zealand and a Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam.
“It was a big thing to overcome, the injury itself,” continued Conan, who has scored nine tries in 38 caps. “There was no guarantee I would come back from it.
“There are a lot of lads who retired from the same injury – not that it ever got to that point – but you knew it was going to be a physically and mentally testing journey from the outset.
“There was definitely a period in that time where you think, ‘Jesus, it is so difficult to get back’.
“The whole world was locked down so I wasn’t feeling too sorry for myself but it was a long journey and times when you thought you won’t get back in.
“I definitely feel like I haven’t had the opportunity to perform on the world stage.
“Obviously I’ve played in the Six Nations and stuff, New Zealand last year and whatever else, but the World Cup is definitely something special. With my age profile, I’m not sure I will be knocking around in four years’ time.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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