There’s been a notable improvement in his play since the beginning of last season.

Andrew Conway came into the Irish professional rugby scene with a big reputation following his successful playing days with Blackrock. A side captained by Jordi Murphy, that went on to claim two Junior Cups and the Senior Cup in 2009.

The teenager was looked at as one of Ireland’s top young talents following his showing at the Junior World Cup with the Ireland U-20’s, where the Dublin native claimed an impressive hat-trick against Scotland.

Conway signed with Leinster in 2010 but found himself landing in Munster three years later as the young star failed to fully live up to the hype that had surrounded him.

The utility back found his form in the red of Munster and in 2017 he got his chance to play in the green of Irieland, coming off the bench in an impressive win against England in the final game of the last Six Nations.

You beauty! Andrew Conway touches down his first try for Ireland against South Africa. pic.twitter.com/nYctLY9cSG

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 11, 2017

Speaking to the Irish times after playing a pivotal role in Irelands demolition of South Africa on Saturday, the 26 year old admitted to training smarter which he feel has rejuvenated his career

“Two or three years ago there was probably a shift in mindset. I always trained hard and did my weights but I probably didn’t have the holistic side of it where I broke down my game and got in touch with coaches and put a plan together to do extras and try and improve in loads of different facets.”

Now a Munster regular, Conway also credited the coaching at his province to playing a big part in how he approaches training nowadays, compared to how he trained in years previous.

“So it wasn’t that I wasn’t committed to it before. I just added a few different pieces to it the last few years. I try to train as smart as I can and hard as I can on a weekly basis. A few extra passing sessions, do some high-ball stuff with Felix (Jones) and kicking, stuff with Jacques ( [Nienaber) D-wise and just being really consistent with it.”

The former Blackrock College student’s improvement comes as exciting news for both Munster and Ireland fans, especially in a season where one of his side’s best players, Simon Zebo has announced he will be leaving the country to play his rugby in France next season onwards.

Link to original article below.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/holistic-approach-starting-to-pay-rich-dividends-for-andrew-conway-1.3289174