Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan is feeling in good form going into a difficult and physical Test against the Springboks this weekend.
Sheehan played sublime rugby for Ireland when the side claimed a series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time in history and looks to continue making his presence known in the Test arena.
For Leinster in the United Rugby Championship thus far, the 24-year-old has performed brilliantly, underlining his class.
Always believed in his ability
The hooker admits he was expecting a rise in stature in the game as he always believed in his ability and all he needed to do was gain more experience.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy, but I haven’t really surprised myself to be honest,” he told The 42.
“I knew the ability I had, but it took me a while to see that myself around some aspects of the professional game, just to mould myself into it. It took maybe three or four years but once I got there I knew I had something different to offer, and I’d be able to show my game.”
Sheehan says his body feels good going into the Autumn Nations Series, and he is happy with the confidence he has built over the last two seasons.
“I think the last two seasons have gone well for me,” he added. “I think slowly I’m building confidence all the way. I feel good now, had a good start to the season, a good few minutes under the belt with Leinster. I feel the body is perfect rolling into these next few weeks. I’m probably at my best confidence-wise anyway, and that belief in my game.”
Brutal clash
The world champion Springboks have not faced Ireland since 2017, and Sheehan understands it will be a brutal encounter with a lot of focus on the set-piece.
“It’s going to be a serious physical challenge,” said the hooker.
“They probably pride themselves solely on their scrum, lineout and maul. It’s something we’ve been working hard at this week, but we also need to throw some of our game at it as well. We’re not going to go away from our game and say ‘Ah, maul’s off or scrums…’ We’ve got to be able to attack them as well so it’s a big challenge for us this week.
“It’s a massive year coming into a World Cup. And to come up against the world champions a year out is a great time to do it, to really test ourselves on that finals rugby piece that people talk about.
“It’s the first for me against South Africa, probably the first for a lot of lads. We’ve had a taste of it at underage but not as a senior team. But there are other teams who do similar to them. It will be a physical battle. We’re ready for it.”
Sheehan knows the Springboks’ game plan is based on power despite changes in the backline and emphasised that the collision area will be crucial in the Test in Dublin.
“Their game style is direct and forward, they’re not as expansive as other teams like us maybe,” he explained.
“It is direct. Size is one part of it. But 90% of a dominant collision is technique. That’s what we’re priding ourselves on, the technique of being able to win those dominant collisions. Each team have their ups and downs. They might say they will go for the size and dominance but we will try to move them around, get them going again.
“As a pack, we back ourselves. And as a team we back ourselves to stay together. No Irish team has ever really been based on some magician. It’s always been about how the team works together. Over the past year, you’ve seen how everything is in sync with all the tries, there is no wastage and we’ve performed as a team. We don’t rely on any magicians.”
Skill set
The hooker revealed that Ireland players must have an all-around skill set regardless of their position, which Sheehan feels confident with, particularly in the wider channels.
“We’re definitely a team where we have to be able to do everything, whether it be passing, tackling. Our game is based on 15 men buying into a system, attack and defence,” he said.
“For us anyway, being a one-trick pony doesn’t work anymore, and that’s 1-15.
“Even throwing the ball around, I’m very comfortable attacking with ball in hand, even in the wider channels. I back my skillset and I think it’s something I’ve maybe added to the squad which is a bit different.
“But it’s also something that everyone has grown in. It’s probably expected now in international rugby.”
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