'The best few weeks of my career' - Lions' Conan

Like every other player in the British and Lions squad, Jack Conan waits nervously for the selection news before Saturday's first Test against Australia.

The 32-year-old from Bray has been through this process before, albeit under different circumstances four years ago.

In South Africa, the Lions played in empty stadiums because of Covid-19.

Ireland's Conan was picked for all three Test matches and that's a record he'd like to continue in Australia, on a tour he has described as "the best few weeks of my career".

"Yeah, it's chalk and cheese but it's been unbelievably special, unbelievably enjoyable," explained Conan.

"It's vastly different to four years ago. With no-one in the crowd, it felt eerie and strange not to have anyone there at what should be the biggest occasion of your career: A few weeks with the lads getting to move about, see some of the different places and see a lot of red at the games.

"The atmosphere [here] has been incredible. I thought the game in Adelaide was unbelievable.

"I think everyone's absolutely loved it and it's been a great challenge so far and we're looking forward to pushing on and being better than we have been in the last few weeks.

"I think everyone will be a bit nervous about selection but I think everyone's gone incredibly well, especially in the back row."

The puzzle of sorting out the best combination for the back row has been solved by the coaching staff and the world will find out the answer on Thursday.

Striking the right balance could be the difference between winning and losing the first Test with the breakdown likely to be crucial.

"It's tough for the coaches I'm sure and hopefully we've given them all plenty of headaches over the last while, because I think no matter who's been out there they've taken their opportunity really well," Conan said.

"It's about those lads who get to run out on the weekend to do right by the lads who aren't playing - and the lads who are on the bench and making the most of their opportunity.

"That level of talent pushes everyone on to be at your best. I don't think anyone can say that they've been poor over the last few weeks and I think especially in the back row the standard's been unbelievably high.

"It's been a joy to play with the lads and get to know them and I've absolutely loved it over the last few weeks."

The Lions have been keen to emphasise they are focused on themselves but like many of the squad, Conan has been coached by Wallabies Joe Schmidt and there is a lot of mutual respect.

"I think he's had success no matter where he's gone whether it be with Leinster, with us and obviously the All Blacks and now Australia," Conan said.

"There's an emphasis he puts on certain areas of the game.

"Look, it's not going to be an easy game at all.

"Test match rugby never is so we're going to have to be at our best.

"I think the media might give them a bit of a hard time but we know that they're an unbelievably good side with incredible athletes across the park.

"And we know how motivated they are going to be for this first Test match in 12 years on home soil against the Lions so we'll have to make sure that their motivation isn't hard on us."

So the serious business of this tour is about to kick in and Conan is ready to face the challenge - if selected.

"No-one can ever take away being a Lion for me and playing in three Tests - but four years ago is definitely not the same as now," he said.

"This has been an incredible joy and the best few weeks of my career and I think that's a sentiment that's shared throughout the squad.

"Everyone's loving it and loving the challenge. We are unbelievably excited for Saturday to hopefully we can go out and create a bit of history."