'You're chasing this level of perfection' - Jack Conan looking for new levels after his best year yet

If you're an Irish rugby player and Andy Farrell's phone number flashes up on your phone the night before a squad is due to be named, it's probably not going to be good news.

Jack Conan had that sinking feeling just over a year ago.

Having suffered that long-term foot injury at the 2019 World Cup, the Covid-19 stoppage of rugby meant it was 11 months before he returned to action, before picking up a neck injury a couple of months later, which ruled him out until early 2021.

It was enough to just stall his progress when it came to an Ireland recall, but the feedback from Farrell was positive.

Within a couple of weeks he was back in the squad, injury to Caelan Doris and Peter O'Mahony's suspension ensuring Farrell would have to supplement his group for the Round 2 meeting with France.

Conan didn't play against the French, but looked buoyed by the recall a week later for Leinster against the Dragons, running out to an empty Rodney Parade to mark his 100th game for the province.

It was enough to see him get a run off the bench for Ireland against both Italy and Scotland in Rounds 3 and 4 before promotion to the starting team for the finale against England, with his try-scoring display ultimately sparking an unlikely journey to becoming a Test Lion.

At 29-years-old, he'd finally arrived.

"It was hugely important and hugely enjoyable," he said when asked about that breakthrough display against England.

"I had never played against England and I had only started, I think, once at home in the Six Nations so to start against them was massive. It's one of the teams you always want to play against when you’re growing up.

"It was a good springboard for everything else that came after that with Leinster and whatever happened over the summer so