Jack Conan hoping for a chance to shine against Fiji

Jack Conan is hoping he can get a "stop-start" season up and running this weekend, as Ireland welcome Fiji to the Aviva Stadium for the second of their Bank of Ireland Nations Series games.

The Leinster back row earned 12 minutes off the bench against South Africa in last weekend's 19-16 win against South Africa, but could come into the starting team for this weekend's visit of the Fijians, with Andy Farrell expected to rotate his squad after a bruising weekend.

Having been first choice at number 8 for Ireland following his summer with the British and Irish Lions in 2021, the 30-year-old saw his place in the starting back row taken by Peter O'Mahony in the last few months, the Munster captain starting ahead of Conan in all three Tests versus New Zealand in July, as well as last week's visit of the world champions.

The Leinster back-row's chances of breaking back into the starting side took a blow after a stuttering first block of games with Leinster - a last-minute back injury saw him miss out on playing in the shootout versus the Sharks while a blood injury saw him depart after just 33 minutes the following week against Connacht.

Conan admits he's been frustrated at times in the opening eight weeks of the season.

"Early on I was bit in and out. I had a few knocks and things like that, so it was a bit of a stop-start kind of few weeks," he said.

"But I'm feeling good, haven’t missed out on training sessions here. Body feels great so hopefully I will get an opportunity at the weekend and get a proper run out.

"I’ve just had little things. My back was at me one day. I had a load of just little things that were poorly timed with a lot of the games. I cut my eye open against Connacht and that was just something that couldn’t get