Dan Sheehan: 'It’s easy to look at the last three years as a failure'

Michael Bolton

Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan says the province did everything right in the build-up to their three Champions Cup final defeats.

Leinster are preparing for their semi-final against Northampton on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, as they aim to reach a fourth straight final.

After narrow, heartbreaking defeats to La Rochelle in 2022 and 2023, they were once again denied by French opposition in London last year, as Toulouse overcame Leo Cullen's side in extra time.

As they chase their fifth European Cup — and a first piece of silverware since 2021 — Sheehan says there has not been a massive overhaul in approach this season.

“It’s easy to look at the last three years as a failure, but it’s one of those situations where we did absolutely everything right in the run-up to the final.

“I don’t think it feels massively different [this season]. There’s a great buzz, we’re reset, and we’ve left [those defeats] behind.

“There is a great buzz around the changing room — but I would have said the same this time last year in the run-up to the semi-final.

“All the lads are happy with where we are at the moment. The motivation levels are at an all-time high, and we’re looking forward to ripping into Northampton at the weekend.”

Standing in their way of another shot at silverware are English side Northampton, who have had a difficult domestic season.

However, similar to last year, they have found a way in Europe, with their attack set to test Leinster’s defence — which has not conceded a point in its last two European games.

“We probably run a bit of a high-risk, high-reward defensive system, which has been clicking well for us in Europe over the last few weeks.

“Coming off the back of a tough performance against Scarlets, we have to make sure no bad habits have crept in, and we need to ensure we’re all over our basics.

“When you look at Northampton, they are a very good attacking side who play some really good rugby — especially in Europe. They’ve put some really good teams away with big numbers.”

After suffering a serious injury in South Africa last summer, the 26-year-old had to wait to make his comeback, returning in Leinster’s win over the Stormers in January.

He wasted no time settling back in, emerging as one of Ireland’s standout performers in the Six Nations, with his last outing for Leinster resulting in a hat-trick against Ulster.

Sheehan says his body is in a good place since his return, and he thanked the medical team at Leinster for their support.

“I feel pretty comfortable in the team, comfortable in my body, and comfortable with the work that’s been put in by the backroom staff.

“It’s been easy enough to get back in — everyone has made it as easy as possible. It’s nice to get a good run of games to build that back.

“I wasn’t out for too long in the end, which was nice. It wasn’t a big transition — I still had a bit of the rugby mind going.”