JACK CONAN has been linked with a sensational move to France to reunite with former coach Stuart Lancaster.
The Ireland and Leinster 8 has attracted interest from Racing 92, according to the Irish Independent and RugbyPass.
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The Wicklow man’s contract is believed to be running up at the end of the 2024/25 season.
And Lancaster, who worked with Conan during his time as Leinster coach, is understood to be eyeing up a move for the 32-year-old.
Racing 92 are in the market for a replacement for Siya Kolisi, after the World Cup-winning Springbok moved to the Sharks for a reported €750,000 fee.
The French club are facing a battle from Leinster themselves for Conan’s signature, with the Irish Independent reporting that the province are preparing a fresh contract offer.
The 46-time capped Ireland international’s life off the pitch has been blossoming after he and wife Ali welcomed the arrival of their first child.
He sat out the two Test summer tour of South Africa during the summer as they prepared for the birth of their daughter.
And in the lead-up to captaining Leinster in their United Rugby Championship opener against Edinburgh, Conan described becoming a dad as the best thing that ever happened to him.
He said: “There was no partying about in Mykonos or things you might be doing during your time off.
“Things change pretty quickly, and definitely make you realise what’s important in life and what’s not.
“I think it’s kind of made me screw my head on a little bit more in some regards, so I feel a bit more centred, which is good”.
Conan added: “Before the baby, I probably would have found it hard to go home and switch off and not be thinking about how I trained, or the game at the weekend, or meetings or reviewing training footage.
“It definitely makes you compartmentalise things a little bit better and say, ‘that’s that done for now’ – and I’ve got a more important thing in life at home to look after so, I probably have a bit more balance now, which is good.”
Joy off the pitch translated to joy on the pitch as Conan and co made it twins from two in the URC with wins over Edinburgh and the Dragons.
Leo Cullen’s men will look to continue their 100% start to the season when they face Benetton on Saturday.
And they have been boosted by the news that RG Snyman, signing from Munster, could make his debut after recovering from a foot injury.
Jacques Nienaber revealed: “When we started his return-to-play date, if everything went 100 per cent and according to plan we hoped that we could get him back for last weekend.
“From a medical point of view they thought we must give him a little bit more time and see how he copes.
“He was in the majority of the training last week and he was comfortable.
“They just wanted to gradually progress his load. He is in full training this week. Hopefully the medics give us the all-clear.
“From a coaching point of view, he needs to fulfil our needs in terms of quality of training and what he brings in the training.
“Then he needs to fulfil their needs in terms of the fact that he doesn’t get symptoms.”
