Ireland back row Jack Conan says his side’s focus “will be all about Wales“ in the next fortnight with no danger of the reigning champions being sidetracked by talk of another Grand Slam.
The Emerald Isle recorded their 10th straight Six Nations victory on Sunday as they cruised past Italy 36-0, giving them a two-point – and 52 points difference – advantage over England at the top of the table.
But despite the ease at which they dismantled the Azzurri Conan said his side weren’t looking too far ahead before that game, and won’t be doing the same before they play Wales next Saturday.
He said: “Before this week, there was no chat of Wales, Scotland, England, anything like that; it was Italy, Italy, Italy.
“That was all that mattered to us and that will be the case next week. It will all be about Wales.
“It’s great people outside of the environment [are focusing on a possible Grand Slam], they can have that buzz all they want, but if we don’t go out and get the job done against Wales then we kind of fall flat on our face.
“We’re not looking at all past that, we’re not looking past the moment in front of our faces and just being present.
“I don’t think there’s a cautious excitement; there are just expectations within the group of what we do with the moment in front of your face.”
Conan got on the scoresheet late on in the first-half last weekend, following up a dynamic performance as a replacement against France in round one with an impressive showing in the number eight shirt against the Azzurri.
He may miss out on a starting berth for Ireland’s next game against Wales, with Peter O’Mahony looking good for a recovery from the injury that kept him out on Sunday and Josh van der Flier likely to return to the team after he was given a run off the bench, but Conan is happy to be part of a selfless squad whose culture he believes has contributed to their success.
“The needs of the many are greater than the needs of the few so it’s important to fit in and do the role you’ve been asked to do,” he added.
“We’re very lucky that there are such good men in the group and good quality that no matter what is asked of people they do it and there’s no complaints.
“It’s an incredibly selfless group and you do what your team-mates and coaching staff ask of you.
“I think it’s one of the reasons why we’ve been so successful over the last few years because everyone wants to add to the value of the group.”
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