Jack Conan has confirmed that he is staying at Leinster ending speculation that a move abroad is imminent.
The Irish number 8 has been linked with a move to the Top-14 in France in recent times, with Racing 92 mentioned as a possible landing zone for the Lions hopeful.
The main reason for behind his decision to stay a blue? He has more work to do in the green of Ireland.
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“It’s huge, it’s the biggest factor,” Conan said when asked by media about his Ireland ambitions.
“It’s the thing that’s at the forefront of my mind constantly, because if I was to leave … I’m more than likely not going to leave but, em, no, I won’t be leaving (laughs). But that was it, like.
“Back when I was making that decision, the thought that I’d played my last ever game for Ireland? Why would you bring me in for Six Nations if I wasn’t going to be there going forward, especially with my age profile? So, to think that I’d already played my last game for Ireland?
"That was something that I wasn’t ready to admit to myself. Because I was playing so well the last few months, bar the injury and stuff, I still feel like I can produce at that level, so yeah, I’m just not ready to walk away from it. It’s the greatest honour.
32-year-old Conan made his debut with Leinster in 2014 and has gone on to make over 130 appearances for the province.
He made his Ireland debut a year later and has helped Ireland win two grand-slams during his International career.
Conan was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 2021 and will likely be in the hunt for a jersey again when Andy Farrell tours Australia next Summer.
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