DAN SHEEHAN reckons he needs to make up for lost time with Leinster.
Sheehan missed the first half of this season with a cruciate injury he suffered in action for Ireland against South Africa last summer.
The hooker made an impressive comeback at the end of January when he scored two tries off the bench against the Stormers.
But he has not been seen in a blue jersey since with the Six Nations getting in the way.
And – ahead of Leinster’s Champions Cup last 16 clash against Harlequins at Croke Park on Saturday – he admitted he is acutely aware of his limited involvement thus far.
Sheehan said: “It was nice to get that Stormers game before the Six Nations.
“They are different styles and, trying to go back into our system, you can’t replicate it at training a whole lot, so it’s nice for me to get back playing in a blue jersey again.
“I obviously missed a lot of the season with Leinster so I’ll feel I’ll need to contribute as much as I can, get back to where I was, which I think is nearly there.
“It’s a massive obligation for me, to do everything I can to help the lads around me or to show up on the big day.”
Whilst the arrival of Jacques Nienaber has brought a big emphasis on Leinster’s defence, Sheehan is keen to ensure they continue to make use of their attacking flair.
He said: “You have to be a bit adaptable.
“We have to make sure we don’t fall into the trap of being too structured, one-dimensional, because there is a lot of talent in the group.
“Sometimes you’d look back at a clip and you’re doing the right thing but the right thing is blocking out an opportunity that might be there if you went off script.
“You have to be mindful of it.”
