'Outstanding' Laura Sheehan steps up after late Ireland call-up

Ireland's Laura Sheehan tackles Elisa Giordano of Italy. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Ireland women’s head coach Adam Griggs sang the praises of Laura Sheehan after his charges returned to Six Nations action with a 21-7 victory over Italy at Donnybrook Stadium on Saturday night.

With last Thursday's inconclusive Covid-19 test on an Irish player ruling Eimear Considine - and replacement Laura Feely - out of contention, Sheehan stepped into the breach to indirectly replace her UL Bohemians team-mate in the back-three. It was a daunting task for the Cork woman, but she produced a fine display on both sides of the ball in this delayed fourth-round fixture.