Conan knock 'a positive injury', insists Prendergast 

Easterby said a decision on whether the 2021 British & Irish Lions Test No.8 would be fit to face the English on August 19 would be made on the travelling squad’s return to Ireland.

FUN AND GAMES...FOR NOW: Caolin Blade heads the ball as his teammates look on. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Seeing Jack Conan on the Aviva Stadium sidelines last Saturday, his injured foot in a protective boot, may have stirred unwanted echoes of his short-lived World Cup experience four years ago, but it seems a more positive outcome is in the offing ahead of Ireland’s fast-approaching France 2023 campaign.

Conan, 31, managed just 61 minutes of action in Japan, all in the opening pool win over Scotland, before a foot injury put paid to his tournament and the Leinster back-rower could have been forgiven for fearing the worst in Dublin last weekend when his involvement against Italy in the opening pre-tournament Test was curtailed after just 35 minutes.