Andy Farrell says that Dan Sheehan will do the armband justice when he captains The British & Irish Lions against the Western Force on Saturday.
Sheenan, 26, has previous leadership experience, having led Ireland in the Six Nations earlier this year during Caelan Doris’s injury absence against Wales.
The Leinster hooker will be among familiar faces as well, given the ten-strong Irish contingent in the matchday 23.
Farrell said: “You don’t make these decisions lightly. To have the special honour of captain of The British & Irish Lions must be amazing for Dan and his family.
“I know for a fact that whatever he asks the players to do, they won’t be empty words. It’ll only be stuff that he’s willing to do himself.
“I know the responsibility will also make him a better player because that’s the type of character he is.
“He’s a calming influence who know what the pressure situations look like at this level, so all those things put together is why I’ve picked him.”
Sheehan seems to have taken the news of his new role in his stride.
Not surprising given his vast experience at the highest level, as the hooker has amassed 32 caps for Ireland since his debut in 2021, scoring 15 tries.
READ MORE: The Making of Dan Sheehan
The Leinster man said: “It’s obviously a massive honour. That phone call back home was something special, and they’re gutted that they can’t be here.
“At the start of the week, I was only focusing on wearing a red jersey for the first time, and you look around the room, and there are so many individuals who are worthy of captaining this team, and that probably eases the nerves a bit.
“I don’t have to make it difficult, I just need to be myself and do what I usually do and that’s why I’m here in the first place.”
A year ago, Sheehan’s place on the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 was in doubt after he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during Ireland’s trip to South Africa.
His reaction shows why Farrell calls him a calming influence in the dressing room.
Sheehan said: “When it happened, my immediate thought was timelines and can I get back, but very quickly I just went ‘stick to process’.
“Trust the medical team, trust the people around me. Do what I do, show up and do the work and then I didn’t have any setbacks.”
