Star Metro - 'Mystic Jack' Conan happy he made right call on Irish fortunes

And having insisted after their chastening opening Six Nations defeat to France that there was no need to panic, three wins later he anointed himself as 'Mystic Jack'.

The 36-14 hammering in Paris seemed an awful long time ago as Conan produced a man-of-the-match performance in the 27-17 win over Wales last weekend which kept Ireland's title hopes alive going into the final round.

Ireland are third in the table and need to beat the Scots, who along with France are two points better off, and hope for an unlikely English win in Paris later on Saturday.

"I was right, wasn't I? Yeah, 'Mystic Jack'," said Conan, referring to his remarks after the France defeat that the Irish were not in decline.

"I think lads not losing confidence in what we're doing because we know we're doing the right thing (was key).

"We know we have the right people, the right coaches, the right players and so that's been massively encouraging."

The 58-times capped Conan, who has been on the last two British and Irish Lions tours, said that it had been a boost to see so many new faces being given their Six Nations bow by coach Andy Farrell.

"I think the squad's in a great place no matter who plays and it's just about building on it," said the 33-year-old Leinster star.

"Test match rugby, it's not always going to all go your own way, it never does.

"So you've got to take the good with the bad and leave it all behind you and just focus on the next moment, doing the right thing and not being too hard on yourself."

- 'Jack's on now' -

The Scots arrive on the back of an astonishing 50-40 victory over France last Sunday.

Conan, who quipped about speeding up the press conference so he could have lunch, said that Ireland's 11-match winning run against Scotland meant nothing.

He was "involved in the squad" that last lost to Scotland -- a 27-22 reverse in Edinburgh back in February, 2017.

"I have no memories from that. I barely remember last week," he joked.

"They're (Scotland) a good side. They're playing unbelievably good rugby at the moment.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for us. Absolutely.

"They'll probably come in here in good form after a great performance on the weekend."

Conan knows that to nullify the vibrant Scottish backline, he and his fellow back row forwards will have to prevent fly-half Finn Russell from deploying his box of tricks.

"A fantastic player and someone if you give time and space to, he can pick any lock and he can pull a rabbit out of a hat and do unbelievable things," said Conan about Russell.

"When his team's on the front foot, he looks fantastic doesn't he? Great fella, unbelievable rugby player, all the ability in the world.

"He takes the good and the bad in his stride."

Conan, who had to sit out Ireland's 42-21 thumping of England at Twickenham because he was sick, may have been man-of-the-match against the Welsh, but the back row is an area where the Irish are spoilt for choice.

"The dynamic of starting or being on the bench is not what it used to be," he said.

"I think years ago it would have been taken as, I'm not good enough to start or I haven't played well enough to start.

"I know I'm well able to do both and I'm probably hoisted by my own petard with being good off the bench and having an impact.

"It's something I pride myself on.

"I'd like to think that whatever minutes I get, they see me run on and think: 'Jack's on now, he can have a real impact here and lift the lads around me'."

P.M.Martin--SMC