Ireland back row Jack Conan has praised head coach Andy Farrell for fostering a more open culture in the national squad, saying it has helped players connect and made it easier for newcomers to settle in.
Conan, who has earned 62 caps since making his Ireland debut in 2015, has worked with Farrell for most of his international career. He told the Ireland Rugby Social podcast that Farrell encourages players to share how they feel, whether they are confident or uncertain. Conan said that openness can help others speak up too, strengthening relationships within the team.
The 34-year-old is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during Leinster’s Champions Cup win over Clermont. He will miss Ireland’s November Nations Championship games against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Dublin, and is targeting a return to contention for next year’s Six Nations.
Conan also hopes to play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Following the death of his mother, Ann, in August, he said he wants to enjoy his rugby and make her proud. He recalled that she would send him a message before every match to wish him luck and tell him the family was proud.
Although he recognises that he is in the later years of his career, Conan said his body still feels strong and he remains mentally driven to compete. He said he would consider retirement when he no longer feels able to meet the demands of the game, but for now the prospect of watching other players compete motivates him to return.
Sources: BBC Sport.