‘We expect to win’: Sean Jansen makes no bones about Connacht’s target in Italian test

Ever since he joined Connacht in 2023, Sean Jansen has cherished and chased a dream of playing for Ireland. It finally came to pass as one of three Connacht debutants with a try-scoring, man-of-the-match display in July’s win over Japan in Australia. He was again called upon a week later in a defeat against his native New Zealand. The taste of international rugby only makes him want it more.

With Caelan Doris to miss the remainder of the Nations Championship, Jansen is likely to enjoy more game time with Ireland in the autumn window. But while he makes no secret of his desire to do so, he knows those ambitions could become a distraction and has spoken to Stuart Lancaster about this potential issue.