CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jack Conan.
It’s a possibility and one that Joe Schmidt will surely mull over when the Ireland squad head out for training at Carton House on Monday.
Of all the Irish forwards that started against Fiji on Saturday evening, at the Aviva Stadium, Conan was the most impressive. Having missed out on the victory over South Africa with injury, the Leinster man knew he needed a big game to force himself into the reckoning for the final game of the Guinness Series, against Argentina.
Conan has played better for Leinster, this season, and was much more dominant on Ireland’s summer tour but – along with Ultan Dillane – he was rocking the Fijians back on their heels and bursting over the gainline.
He made 16 carries and gained 77 metres, with 6 Fijians left in his forceful wake and a clean break thrown in for good measure. He also scored Ireland’s third try after picking the ball off his shoelaces, straightening and haring free of all comers to dot down and give Joey Carbery the easiest of his three conversion chances.
Following the 23-20 victory, Conan spoke about his mind-set heading into the game.
“When Joe tells you on the Monday or the Tuesday that you’re going to be involved, you’re not thinking that you’re borrowing this jersey from someone for 80 minutes. You’ve got to think, ‘This is my jersey now’, and do your best.
“Today, we weren’t at our best, but that’s rugby and you have to roll with the punches. It’s something to improve on and get better.”
Conan has now scored four tries in five Test outings and he has won all five of those games in the green jersey. Tougher Tests await, he knows, and he wants to be out there playing them from the very first whistle.
It was interesting to note that Schmidt replaced not Conan but captain Rhys Ruddock with CJ Stander when Ireland needed some attacking impetus in the final quarter. Having been tossed in direct competition for the No.8 jersey over the past 18 months, it was good to see them play together as Ireland closed a tight game out.
“It’s the first time we’ve played together but we’ve obviously been training together a while, in the last few camps. Look, he’s a fantastic athlete, a great bloke and a good leader for the team.
“Every chance I get to play and train with him is great for me as a player; it helps me learn and grow. No complaints whatsoever.”
Schmidt said, on Saturday night, that there were a number of Ireland jerseys still up for grabs. Some of the fringe players are now out of contention after making too many errors and not imposing themselves against Fiji but Conan, along with Dillane, Andrew Conway and Darren Sweetnam, is not one of them. He will be looking to kick on in training next week.
Schmidt will be sorely tempted to go O’Mahony, O’Brien and Stander again, as he did against the Springboks, but Conan’s continued good form at international level gives his coach a pleasant dilemma.
