It was a summer to remember for Leinster's Jack Conan, as he became a father for the first time following the birth of his baby girl.
While Ireland travelled to South Africa in a hard-fought test series in July, Conan had a more important event to look forward to with his wife Ali as he remained in Ireland.
Daughter Remi was born two days before Ireland faced the Springboks in the first Test in July, and has provided the Leinster and Ireland number eight with some new challenges.
"I’m trying to find the balance of it all," Conan said.
"My one big thing at the moment is I love being really early to things.
"It’s great when you go home, you can kind of park rugby a bit more and not worry about training as much and reviewing things.
"It makes you realise what’s important in life, you go home and make sure you are present and conscious of how you are around family.
"It’s been great, I’m loving it, my wife’s been fantastic, she’s been calm and patient and that’s helped me to be calm and patient with it all."
While he admitted he will go into the new season short on sleep, it has been the first summer for a while Conan has not been away on a summer tour, and will not have played competitive rugby since June.
After another season that ended in heartbreak for Leinster, Conan will likely lead the team out in Edinburgh on Friday as they get their URC season underway.
After recovering from an injury, Conan is fresh and ready to go, as Leinster seek their first piece of silverware since 2021.
"I feel fresh. I picked up a small calf injury at the start of pre-season and then I had four-six weeks of rehabing and running and getting that right.
"That has actually been the best thing for me.
"I had a bit of a hangover from the World Cup last year after that foot injury I picked up in the Italy game and I had a few calf tears throughout the year, which would be very unlike me.
"That was lingering throughout the season. Even though I got injured and hurt it again I was able to give it the proper time to rectify it and get back to the strength and performance that I needed.
"I think it was the best thing for me and I feel great."
