Competition for places hotter than ever as Leinster start another Champions Cup chase

Leo Cullen has multiple international players across most areas of the pitch.

TRUE BLUES: Leinster Rugby players Dan Sheehan, left, Leah Tarpey and Tommy O'Brien. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Dan Sheehan wasn’t used to missing out. The Leinster and Ireland hooker went from a few seasons serving his time in the AIL to first-choice Test hooker in the blink of an eye. The only thing that stopped him in his tracks was an ACL injury suffered in South Africa in the summer.

The rehab has gone well. His day still starts at 7am and finishes at three. If things keep going to plan then he’ll be back on the pitch some time early in the New Year. A Six Nations role looks well doable and, when he does come back fit and fresh, he will be perfectly poised to make a case for the British and Irish Lions.