Jack Conan: 'Week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else'
URC: Leinster 76 Zebre Parma 5
Following a week of mixed emotions from his own perspective, Jack Conan returned to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to play his part in Leinster's record 71-point victory over Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship.
Their biggest winning margin in a competition that began life as the Celtic League back in 2001, this comprehensive triumph also ensured the eastern province will finish top in the URC regular season table and are also set to remain on home soil for the duration of their knockout round campaign.
After a difficult couple of days dealing with the previous weekend's surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in the Aviva, Conan's mood was significantly lifted last Thursday when he was one of 12 Leinster players to be named in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad for the forthcoming Tour of Australia.
'To be honest, I don't want another week like that. Monday and Tuesday were pretty grim, a lot of soul searching and stuff. Honest conversations about how poor we were the weekend before and then we got out, ran around on Monday and tried to bring a bit of craic. A bit of energy to it,' Conan remarked after Saturday's game.
'Tuesday night we had an awards ball, so we got to send the lads off properly, everyone who is leaving. Then obviously Thursday [the Lions announcement]. So kind of a week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else.
'Then you've got to prep to go again [for the Zebre game] and make sure that you're better than you were. It wouldn't have been hard to be better than we were after last weekend. A strange old week. I wouldn't fancy doing it again now.'
Deputising for the injured Caelan Doris as both team captain and Leinster's starting No 8, Conan played a pivotal role during a blistering start to Saturday's action from the Blues. Courtesy of excellent build-up play by the 32-year-old – as well as from his fellow Wicklow native Josh van der Flier for the latter score – Rónan Kelleher and Luke McGrath claimed tries for the hosts inside the opening five minutes of the contest.
Ryan Baird's converted score subsequently had Leinster within sight of a bonus point and this was officially secured when Jordie Barrett was released by Sam Prendergast for a clinical finish in the 26th minute. Restored to the starting line-up in the wake of his much-discussed appearance off the bench in the Northampton game, New Zealand international Barrett proceeded to double his personal tally just past the half-hour mark.
James Lowe's fifth try in just four games propelled Leinster towards an unassailable 38-0 interval cushion and the gap between the teams increased when player of the match Barrett unselfishly teed up Prendergast for a seven-pointer on the resumption.
In the wake of van der Flier adding his name to the scoresheet, Leinster head coach Cullen opted to introduce seven replacements at once on the stroke of 50 minutes.
Ciaran Frawley was one of those to enter the fray at this juncture and after Jamie Osborne dotted down in superb fashion on the right-wing, the Skerries man capped his 100th senior appearance for the province with a 61st minute try.
While Zebre eventually opened their account with a Gonzalo Garcia five-pointer 13 minutes from time, a determined Leinster had the final say with late tries from replacement James Culhane and Osborne (his second).
This means that - in advance of their final regular round fixture against third-place Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva this Saturday – Leinster are now nine points clear of Vodacom Bulls in the URC standings.
LEINSTER: J Osborne; J O'Brien, G Ringrose (R Henshaw 50), J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast (C Frawley 50), L McGrath (J Gibson-Park 30-35 & 67); J Boyle (A Porter 50), R Kelleher (J McKee 50), T Clarkson (R Slimani 50); J McCarthy (J Ryan 50), D Mangan; R Baird, J van der Flier (J Culhane 50), J Conan.
ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla (A Fusco 54); S Gregory, F Paea, E Lucchin, S Gesi; G Montemauri (G Da Re 54), G Garcia; L Franceschetto (M Hasa 30), G Ribaldi (T Di Bartolomeo 48), J Pitinari (I Neculai 62); R Nasove (M Canali 59), L Krumov; B Stavile (F Drago 70), I Bianchi, D Ruggeri (G Ferrari 70).
Referee: S Grove-White (SRU).
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