Leinster and Ireland look set to face a battle to retain Jack Conan’s services beyond this season, with the back-rower reportedly lined up by French giants Racing 92.

Conan is out of contract at the end of the season and is understood to be attracting interest from Racing 92, coached by former Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster.

The French club are in the market for a back-rower ahead of next season following the early departure of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

Conan off to France?

On Monday, Rugby Pass reported that Ireland and Lions number eight Conan was on Racing 92’s “radar” as they step up their search for Kolisi’s replacement.

Last month, Lancaster explained that the club would not go to the market this season to fill Kolisi’s void as they had sufficient cover in the loose forward positions.

“We already have some very good loose forwards at the club: Jordan Joseph, Maxime Baudonne, Cameron Woki, Junior Kpoku, Ibrahim Diallo and Hacjivah Dayimani are all among them,” he told reporters.

“So we have several good options. If during the season we suffer from injuries, we will recruit someone.”

According to the report, Conan is one of the options being lined up with Lancaster armed with a £726,000 kitty which the Sharks fronted up to secure Kolisi’s return to South Africa.

The Irish Independent have since backed up the report stating that ‘Racing 92’s interest is genuine’.

Conan has skippered Leinster in their opening two games of the United Rugby Championship season in the absence of club captain Caelan Doris, who has enjoyed an extended break after representing Ireland in the Test series against the Springboks.

Conan missed the Tests against South Africa due to personal reasons but remains a key figure in the Ireland and Leinster set-ups.

The Independent’s report adds that Leinster are preparing an offer to retain the British and Irish Lions back-rower’s services beyond this season as he is unlikely to be given a central contract having never been on one, despite being a regular in Andy Farrell’s matchday 23s.

While Lancaster will have a huge kitty following the departure of Kolisi, the club are currently in search of a scrum-half to replace Nolann Le Garrec who joins La Rochelle next season. It has been reported that Castres and Uruguay nine number Santiago Arata has visited the club’s grounds but he is also attracting interest elsewhere.

Leo Cullen rubbishes Jurand links

Meanwhile, last week Leinster boss Leo Cullen shut down rumours that the province was looking at signing Clermont back Joris Jurand.

French media reported that Leinster could swoop for the 28-year-old, making a second signing from Clermont following the arrival of tighthead prop Rabah Slimani, but Cullen confirmed that was not the case.

“We are always in the market but not for that player,” he told reporters.