Conway making the most of Munster opportunity

For those of a more indestructible nature, starting three games in a row feels like a given, a birthright almost. For Munster wing Andrew Conway, just getting back-to- back outings in the red jersey has been an all-too-rare occurrence.

So the thought of getting a third start in as many games tomorrow evening against Zebre at Thomond Park is in the realm of luxury for a player hampered by injury at the outset of a debut campaign with Munster last season and unable to force his way into the starting XV once fit.

“Last year, jeez I don’t even know... I might have got two games back to back,” Conway said of his first season at Munster, having left his native Leinster.

“If I play this weekend, it’ll be three 80 minutes. If I get it, it’ll be three starts in a row, which didn’t happen last year, so I’ll have to take advantage of that.

“Going into last season, I felt I was really going to try and have a big year and play in those big games. But it didn’t work out with injuries. Luckily I got a bit of form towards the back end of the season, played in the bigger games and I’m just hoping to continue that into this season. I’ve got two games under my belt, so I’m feeling like I’m back into it fully, so hopefully I’ll play this weekend and get a good 80 minutes.”

If he does not get a start, Conway will at least be in a familiar place, and able to deal with it rationally.

“It’s part of sport,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s just the way it is. Rugby as well, it’s only the rare lads that are built brilliantly and look after themselves brilliantly that get a run of games. Whenever you’re not in the internationals and not coming back into the squad the whole time, it’s tough.

“If you do get a few injuries, it is tough. You go to a few dark places when you are not getting picked, and it is tough when you see lads playing really well. But you have to take advantage of it when it comes, so hopefully I can take advantage of it now.

“You have to enjoy it as well, to notice that this is the first time in a while now that it’s happened, so I have to be enjoying my rugby as well, I think it’s a big thing. Whenever I tend to enjoy it I end up playing well, so that’s a big focus for me.”

After a disappointing team effort in the Pro12 opener at home to Edinburgh two weeks ago, Conway and his team-mates were at least able to enjoy a first win of the season last Friday night in Treviso. He acknowledges there is still lots of room for improvement, although the wing is happy with the way Munster’s back play is taking shape under new attack coach Brian Walsh.

“It’s like anything, with the first few games of the season, it’s tough. With new coaches you know there is going to be a bit of time settling in and you want to get that done as quick as possible. We see the lads there (training) smashing into each other for 20 minutes, that helps as well, because it’s game situations. We think it will hopefully give us that slight advantage going into the weekend.”