Jack Conan has joked that he ‘absolutely hates’ Caelan Doris for blocking his route into the Ireland XV.
Conan is a high-class back row but finds himself below Doris in the pecking order at No 8.
Even so, Leinster star Conan insists there is no risk of a feud between the pair.
“Nah, I hate him,” he said. “I absolutely hate him.
“Nah, look, Bogsy’s an incredible player and he’s an even better bloke.
“Throughout my entire career, it’s never been me against someone else. I’ve never thought, ‘Aw, you need to do this better than he does this.’
“My only mindset ever is, ‘I need to do this better. I need to be more impactful, more detail-oriented, I need to be more switched on in certain moments.’
“I’d never begrudge anyone for getting selected ahead of me or anything like that.”
