Dan Sheehan is experiencing his first British & Irish Lions tour, and the Irish hooker is quickly adjusting to its unique challenges. One of the biggest early hurdles is forming bonds with players he once considered rivals. He candidly reflects on how strange it feels to shift so suddenly from viewing someone like Ellis Genge as a competitive adversary to sharing jokes and coffee. “He’s definitely someone that surprises you that he’s not a dickhead,” Sheehan admits, describing how quickly friendships can form when you’re thrown into such a tight-knit environment.
This quick transition from animosity to camaraderie is part of what makes a Lions tour so special. The first week involves not just recovering from jet lag but overcoming the mental dissonance of uniting four different nations under one cause. For Sheehan, bonding with Genge and others is proving to be a highlight, especially after the team social that broke the initial awkwardness. “There’s no small chat anymore,” he says. “You begin to understand people’s stories.”
Roommate changes have also brought Sheehan some relief. After enduring sleepless nights due to Pierre Schoeman’s snoring, he now shares a room with Sione Tuipulotu and is sleeping much better. Small wins like these help make the intense schedule more manageable. While he acknowledges that some of the early team-building exercises feel forced, he believes spontaneous moments — like sharing a few beers — are often more effective for building unity.
The pace of the tour means there’s little time to ease into form. Sheehan knows he must prove himself quickly, regardless of his past form for Ireland and Leinster. “Sometimes if you haven’t played yet you feel like a bit of an impostor,” he confesses, underscoring the pressure to deliver from the outset.
Versatility is one of Sheehan’s strengths. Known for his mobility and attacking flair, he’s open to the idea of playing in other positions, including the back row. While unsure whether he’d excel there at international level, he’s eager to test himself and back his skill set.
Raised partly in Romania due to his father’s work, Sheehan credits his time at an American school in Bucharest with broadening his athletic abilities. Sports like baseball and basketball gave him a diverse foundation, shaping the dynamic player he is today.
Looking ahead, Sheehan is determined to bring cohesion to the squad. He believes the main challenge is connecting the immense talent from four different rugby cultures and translating that into unified performances. “Every inch of the game is so hyper-detailed now,” he notes. With a key game against Western Force looming, he hopes the Lions can start showing consistent improvement.
