Opportunities wouldn't pass Dan Sheehan by

"I spent four years in the Academy doing the same sort of thing for four years and then made my debut for Leinster in October last season, then Ireland debut a year later and then Six Nations debut only a few months later"

Dan Sheehan

Dan Sheehan could well be on the verge of a first Guinness Six Nations start if the cards fall his way when Andy Farrell today names his Ireland team to face Italy on Sunday. 

Yet the hooker’s Test-match education has already taken a seismic leap thanks to his hour on the pitch in Paris a fortnight ago.