‘It’s made me screw my head on a little bit’ – Fatherhood gives Jack Conan fresh focus ahead of Leinster opener

This time last year, Conan was training with the Ireland team in Paris ahead of their World Cup battle with South Africa, trying to force his way into the 23-man squad for the crucial pool game in the Stade de France. He focused on looking after his diet, sleep and training routine to give himself the best chance of success.

​Fast-forward a year and now Conan is responsible for someone else’s diet and sleep. Rugby is no longer the sole focus for the Leinster and Ireland back-row after the birth of his daughter Remi just 12 weeks ago.

Conan and his wife Ali welcomed their daughter into the world just two days before Ireland’s first Test against South Africa in June.

“Best thing that’s ever happened,” Conan said ahead of captaining Leinster for their season-opener in Edinburgh tonight. “There was no partying about in Mykonos or things you might be doing during your time off.”

Conan’s summer has instead consisted of early starts, nappy changes and a change in priorities.

“Things change pretty quickly, and definitely make you realise what’s important in life and what’s not. I think it’s kind of made me screw my head on a little bit more in some regards, so I feel a bit more centred, which is good”.

The 32-year-old said he has been blessed with a daughter that sleeps well and cries little – in stark contrast to himself as a baby, according to his mother.

“She said I was a devil child who roared crying from minute one and didn’t sleep a wink. She told me to stick to one,” he joked.

The arrival of his first child has had an impact on and off the pitch.

“Before the baby, I probably would have found it hard to go home and switch off and not be thinking about how I trained, or the game at the weekend, or meetings or reviewing training footage.

“It definitely makes you compartmentalise things a little bit better and say, ‘that’s that done for now’ – and I’ve got a more important thing in life at home to look after so, I probably have a bit more balance now, which is good.”

He missed out on Ireland’s dramatic series draw with South Africa in June, due to the birth of Remi.​

Head coach Andy Farrell was understanding when Conan wanted to remove himself from consideration for a place in the squad.

“Andy’s a huge family man, and he put massive importance on that, even when we’re in camp and stuff. So he told me to do what’s right for you and your family.

“We were supposed to be due two days before the second Test, and then ended up going two weeks early. So there was a brief period where, if something had gone wrong with one of the lads in South Africa, I might have gone across. Thankfully, I didn’t have to sit my wife down and have that conversation.”

Conan has played 46 times for Ireland and three times for the Lions and said it was strange watching his international team-mates from home. It was the first time he hadn’t played a part in an Ireland squad since 2020.

“I was sitting at home watching the second Test and it was really one of those things that if the lads went out there and won by 30 points, you’d be like ‘brilliant’, but the fact that there was such a dramatic late finish, that would have been unbelievable to be part of.

“For ‘Frawls’ [Ciarán Frawley] to knock over that drop goal in the 81st minute, I was delighted for the lads after such a long and tough season”.

​Despite a calf problem early on, it has been a productive pre-season. He played 40 minutes against Bordeaux and 60 minutes against Northampton which, according to him, has benefitted his fitness massively.

“I did a lot of work with Emma [Gallivan, senior physiotherapist with Leinster], who is a world-class physio with a huge background in athletics. I wouldn’t be the best mover at times with how I run, so she fixed up a lot of things for me. I’m hitting PB speeds that I’ve never hit before, which is not bad for someone my age.

“When I injured my calf, I was cursing myself because I was trying to get the balance. I’ve just had a baby, but still trying to keep up the running and going to the gym and stuff like that but I was probably just burning the candle on both ends and then popped my calf.

“In hindsight, it was probably a bit of a blessing for me, because now I’ve been able to rectify that and put the time into it, and now even park it and just push on, so I’m feeling fresh and I’m looking forward to ripping in for the season now.”

Conan will hope his happiness off the pitch will lead to big performances on it.

He can’t remember the last time he played a season-opener but he is looking forward to getting his and Leinster’s campaign under way tonight in Edinburgh.