Dan Sheehan has opened up after Ireland beat Italy 22-17 in Rome to boost their chances of winning the Six Nations.
The visitors had gone into the showdown knowing they needed to secure victory to keep their dreams of glory alive, with France and Scotland set to play tonight.
Italy were impressive throughout the showdown, with the hosts managing two tries.
However, Sheehan’s hat-trick was enough for Ireland to secure victory on a day that saw them say goodbye to legends Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony.
Dan Sheehan has opened up after Ireland beat Italy 22-17 in Rome to boost their chances of winning the Six Nations
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Sheehan, speaking to ITV, has admitted he was pleased with his team’s victory.
However, he also acknowledged that Ireland weren’t at their brilliant best with Italy putting up a strong fight.
“Happy with five points, we probably needed a bit more points difference,” he said.
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“I think they went after our breakdown quite well and we lacked accuracy, there was a lot of dropped balls.
“Fair play to Italy, I thought their gameplan worked well and they put us under pressure.
“We got five points and it’s up to the other teams now.”
Dan Sheehan was pleased to see Ireland beat Italy in the Six Nations
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Sheehan was outstanding in the Six Nations, with only Louis Bielle-Bairey managing more tries throughout the course of the tournament.
The Ireland hooker was sidelined with an ACL injury but is now enjoying his rugby once again after a tough spell in his career.
“I’m delighted to be back playing rugby in the big games like this,” he continued.
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“A big Saturday at the end of the Six Nations, to be here is great.
“It’s great to be sharing the pitch with three legends of Irish Rugby and Irish sport in Pete [O’Mahony], Church [Cian Healy] and Mur [Conor Murray].”
With just two matches of the Six Nations to go, Ireland currently sit at the summit.
Dan Sheehan was the star of the show as Ireland beat Italy in the Six Nations
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They have 19 points to their name following today’s victory, with France three behind.
England occupy third, with Scotland, Italy and Wales then making up the rest of the table.
England need a win to finish above Ireland given the points difference between the pair.