Dan Sheehan makes bold Ireland claim ahead of the Six Nations
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Underdogs.
As the 2026 Guinness Six Nations looms, Ireland may not be the bookies’ top pick, but inside the squad, there’s a quiet confidence that refuses to be ignored.
At the centre of that belief is hooker Dan Sheehan, who has made a bold claim about Ireland’s chances, insisting that the team’s so-called underdog status is far from a weakness.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sheehan said:
“We’re sort of underdogs now, I suppose, which isn’t a bad place to be,” Sheehan said.
“We just need to make sure of our prep over the next few weeks, that we fill up with confidence and we still believe in each other that we can do it.
“I’m sure a Grand Slam is going to be the aim, and so it should be. We have the ability to beat any of those teams on our day.
“It’s just about how we perform and how we show up to those games. It’s going to be no easy task.”
Ireland open up their 2026 campaign with a trip to Paris to take on champions, France, with last year’s disappointing 42-27 loss to Les Blues still fresh in the memory.
“That game last year took the wind out of our sails a little bit. We’ve had some proper battles with them over the last few years,” Sheehan added.
“Last year was disappointing because we got ahead. It was just after half-time, wasn’t it?
“And then things just got away from us. They have the ability to do that. They’re very good at keeping momentum once they get it.
“They have the talent across the board to make sure that they keep putting you under pressure. And they’re very good at doing it, whether through their kicking game or through individual talent and speed.
“Louis Bielle-Biarray had a good few tries that day. They can rack up a score very quickly.
“It’s important that we just stick on and make sure we apply as much pressure as we can and just nail the basics.
“And then it’s an 80 minute game. They’re never out of it, no matter how many points you put on them.
“They always have a way back, so it’s just an 80-minute mental performance that we need.”
