Leo Cullen has named a strong starting 15 packed with Ireland internationals for the match at Ashton Gate
By Oisin Doherty Jack Conan has confirmed that he is staying at Leinster ending speculation that a move abroad is imminent. The Irish number 8 has been linked with a move to the Top-14 in France in recent times, with Racing 92 mentioned as a possible landing zone for the Lions hopeful.
The main reason for behind his decision to stay a blue? He has more work to do in the green of Ireland. “It’s huge, it’s the biggest factor,” Conan said when asked by media about his Ireland ambitions. “It’s the thing that’s at the forefront of my mind constantly, because if I was to leave … I’m more than likely not going to leave but, em, no, I won’t be leaving . But that was it, like. “Back when I was making that decision, the thought that I’d played my last ever game for Ireland? Why would you bring me in for Six Nations if I wasn’t going to be there going forward, especially with my age profile? So, to think that I’d already played my last game for Ireland? "That was something that I wasn’t ready to admit to myself. Because I was playing so well the last few months, bar the injury and stuff, I still feel like I can produce at that level, so yeah, I’m just not ready to walk away from it. It’s the greatest honour. 32-year-old Conan made his debut with Leinster in 2014 and has gone on to make over 130 appearances for the province. He made his Ireland debut a year later and has helped Ireland win two grand-slams during his International career. Conan was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 2021 and will likely be in the hunt for a jersey again when Andy Farrell tours Australia next Summer.
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