| Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 7 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
| Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Ulster; follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app |
Dan Sheehan says everyone inside the Ireland camp realises there is “a lot on the line” in Saturday’s crucial World Cup Pool B game against Scotland.
Ireland will top the group if they avoid defeat or lose by seven points or fewer, while Scotland need to win to reach the quarter-finals.
The Irish have won their last eight games against Scotland but Sheehan has acknowledged that this feels different to the build-up to a Six Nations match.
“There’s a lot on the line,” he said.
“I think we probably stick to the same procedures in regards to preparation. You can be in danger of overhyping a game or getting too fired up about an occasion.
“Realistically it’s pretty similar to a Test match but everyone knows there’s a lot on the line.”
Hooker Sheehan returned as a replacement in Ireland’s statement win over South Africa last time out having missed the Romania and Tonga games because of injury.
The Leinster front row, 25, did not make it back in time for the opening two matches after injuring his foot in the warm-up win over England in August.
Sheehan says he feels fitter than he has done in a long time and is grateful to have made it back in time for the early stages of Ireland’s World Cup campaign, having initially been told he faced up to eight weeks out.
“When it happened in the England game, I just felt it was something that would take a good few weeks and, chatting to the physios after, it looked like it would’ve taken a bit longer, looking around eight weeks,” recalled Sheehan.
“I think as the week went on it recovered really well, even just in the first week so that gave us a good window.
“In fairness, everyone here gave me that week to find out exactly what it was and a timeline.
“From there, once I knew there was a chance, it was just about working and there was a good team behind that put a lot of work in to get me here.
“After the first two weeks, I knew there was a possibility of getting to play in the group stages.”
Sheehan also revealed that some members of the squad watched Europe’s Ryder Cup victory on Sunday, cheering on Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy after the pair attended Ireland’s win over South Africa.
“A good few of us sat down and watched it on Sunday, it’s brilliant to see, especially the two lads who came and watched us against South Africa,” said Sheehan.
“Shane being an extremely passionate Irishman, it’s great to see how passionate he is about Ireland, Irish rugby and representing Ireland.
“I’d be right behind him in that way so we had a good day watching it.”
