Katie Taylor’s ‘poignant’ message spurred Lions win – Conan
Jack Conan revealed that a heartfelt video message from boxing champion Katie Taylor helped motivate the British and Irish Lions to stage a dramatic comeback win over Australia. The Lions fought back from 18 points down to beat the Wallabies 29-26 in Melbourne, sealing the series with one game to spare after Hugo Keenan scored the match-winning try in the final play.
An Emotional Message That Hit Home
Before the Test, the Lions squad received their jerseys from former captain Martin Johnson, setting the tone for a special occasion. But it was a surprise video message from Bray native Katie Taylor that really stuck with the players. “Her words were unbelievably powerful,” said Conan. “She talked about being ready to win with skill, but also willing to win by sheer will. That really captured what happened today—we weren’t at our best, but we dug deep.”
Conan, who is also from Bray, said the message carried extra meaning for him. “I’m so proud of where I come from, and Katie’s achievements mean a lot. She’s humble, driven, and a true role model. Her example gave us something extra to lean on today.”
Seizing the Final Moment
Conan was in a perfect position when Keenan scored the game-winning try, standing just outside the full-back as the ball came his way. Head coach Andy Farrell later admitted he was calling for a pass to Conan in that moment, hoping to take advantage of a mismatch. Conan joked afterward that he might have dropped it anyway. “If Barry [Keenan] messed it up, I’d have killed him,” he laughed. “But he finished it, and that’s all that matters.”
Physical Battle and Team Resilience
The game wasn’t perfect, with Conan saying Thursday’s training session was one of their worst. Still, the Lions battled hard and showed serious grit in the second half. Conan finished with the most combined carries and tackles of any Lions player across five tours. “We weren’t sharp in the first half, but physically we gave everything. Winning like that makes the celebrations even sweeter,” he said.
Memories That Will Last Forever
The Lions now have Sunday and Monday off before preparing for the third Test in Sydney. Conan, who turns 34 this week, knows these moments are rare. “To be part of a Lions series win is special. It doesn’t matter how scrappy we were—history only remembers the win. We’ll always be part of that now.”
He also praised Australia’s performance, despite some criticism in the media. “They were class. Valetini and Skelton came back in and really put us under pressure. We struggled at times, but we finished strong.”
Celebrations, Family and Full Stadiums
After the match, emotions ran high as players celebrated with their families and fans. “Seeing my wife, my twin sister, and my mates in the stands—it’s just unreal,” said Conan. “Compared to four years ago when there was no one in the stadium, this was on a different level. This one will stay with us forever.”
