Dan Sheehan is being backed to go to the very top in world rugby after the Leinster and Ireland hooker's latest tour de force.
Sheehan was bang on under pressure with his line-out throwing in Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final victory over Toulouse, with his work at scrum-time and in his hunger to get on the ball and make ground at all times.
And the speedy no 2 provided another eye-catching try for the highlights reel with his brilliant first half effort when he pounced on a ricochet and raced in over the Toulouse line.
READ MORE: Leinster's Dan Sheehan on looking for final revenge v La Rochelle: 'That one hurt us last year'
“There’s no limit, is there, when you look at Dan and the talent he’s got, his physical attributes," said Leinster's forward coach Robin McBryde.
"He sees and reads the game differently because there are so many options available to him. He can do anything - whereas if I was carrying the ball into contact, I’d be head down, arse up, just trying to get across the gain line!
"He's got so many strings to his bow in regards to being a skilful, physical big man - and technically at set-piece as well, he’s really kept on growing and growing.
"It has really become a strength of his.”
Buoyed after stepping up last season after Rónan Kelleher was injured, Sheehan starred on Ireland's victorious tour of New Zealand last summer and became a Grand Slam winner in March.
With Leinster, he started this campaign with four tries against Benetton last September and has scored seven more tries for the province since.
McBryde recalled noting that Sheehan was a "good footballer" when he first laid eyes on him at Leinster - and has since marvelled at his growth over three seasons.
"He was converted from a back-row player," added the Welshman. "You could see he’s very comfortable with the ball in his hands.
"A good arm - needed a little bit of toning down with regards to a very strong arm (when throwing into the lineout), not always in control of where it was going but you could see the basic attributes were there.
"Then he just kicked on massively. All these players have benefited from being involved with Ireland - they’re getting stretched wherever they are.
"They’re always learning and the environment within Leinster lends itself to that sort of growth mindset as well with regards to never being happy with where you’re at, always pushing on to get better. He’s a great example of that.
Sheehan also looks as if nothing fazes him, no matter how big the occasion.
McBryde smiled: “He’s definitely not carrying any baggage anyway!
"He has enjoyment in everything he does. That’s great. It’s very refreshing because a lot of players, you see them playing as if they don’t want to be out there any more - too afraid of making a mistake or they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders for whatever reason.
"Dan's just one of those players who is just enjoying himself.”
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