Dan Sheehan: 'It was kind of weird watching from the outside'

Dan Sheehan said it was a special feeling to be back out on the pitch after he ended a six month absence with a two-try Player of the Match display to lead Leinster Rugby to a 36-12 bonus point victory over the DHL Stormers.

It was the Ireland hooker’s first appearance of the season following his recovery from the serious knee ligament damage he suffered against the Springboks in Pretoria last summer, but it was as if he had never been away.

Handed the captaincy for his return at the Aviva Stadium, he produced a typically dynamic display, racing in at the corner for his first try and collecting a cross-kick for his second.

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It was proof positive that he has come back as good as new and is ready and raring to go with the Six Nations starting next weekend.

Speaking after the game, the 26-year-old admitted:

“I was nervous during the week.

“It’s so nice to be part of this team and when it’s taken away from you for six months it just makes it all the more special to be back out on the pitch. It was excellent. It kind of felt like another debut.

“I have been helped so much by everyone in Leinster. A lot of people have put a lot of time into me.”

As for taking on the captaincy, he said: “It was a nice distraction. It got me thinking about the rest of the lads rather than myself.

“I’m trying to push my game on with the leadership side of things. It’s a big role and it’s an important role, leading the squad and helping to run the week. I was happy with how the lads performed for me.”

The 27-cap Sheehan will now link up with the rest of the Ireland squad out in Portugal where they are preparing for their Championship opener at home to England.

“I can’t wait to get back into camp,” he said.

“It was kind of weird watching from the outside the last couple of games. So I’m looking forward to getting to Portugal and getting stuck into a bit of prep. It’s really exciting times.”

Sheehan’s double, along with another brace from wing Andrew Osborne, helped Leinster make it ten out of ten in the BKT URC this season, while they are 14 wins from 14 games in all competitions.

Securing the maximum against the Stormers has seen them extend their lead at the top of the league table by a point to 11.