Leinster enjoy an embarrassment of riches in hookers Sheehan and Kelleher

• Author: Johnny Watterson
• Published date: 23 November 2022
• Publication title: Irish Times: Web Edition Articles (Dublin, Ireland)

He is low in the movement and across the back of his neck hang four unforgiving plates of metal on either side. Whether the bar is bending or not is a moot point. It looks like it is. The messaging, though, is clear

Kelleher's body is not only back together but strong and this week he begins the process of winning back hearts and minds, firstly in Leinster with Leo Cullen and then in the Irish camp with Andy Farrell.

It is a welcome return for the 24-year-old, who missed out on the entire November series with a hamstring injury. That came on the back of him damaging his shoulder in the Heineken Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle at the end of last season.

The injury didn't recover in time to earn a seat on the plane for a successful tour to New Zealand in the summer, which killed stone dead his momentum at international level.

Kelleher had been outstanding in the previous November win over the All Blacks, scoring a try and being an overall significant contributor as part of the all-singing, all-dancing front row. In his absence Connacht's Dave Heffernan joined Dan Sheehan and Rob Herring on the plane as part of a 40-man New Zealand squad.

But the return is expected to spark one of the biggest head to heads for a first team starting place as Ireland begins to look towards next year and the Six Nations Championship because while Kelleher was in recovery, the other 24-year-old in the Irish squad, Sheehan, cemented his place in the middle of the front row.

Kelleher could only watch on as, over the course of the three recent international matches and especially in the brutally physical game against the Springboks, Sheehan's permanent claim grew louder and louder.

Just how Kelleher makes his challenge will be closely followed. His exciting pace and ability to take up positions in the back line or on the wing gave Ireland another edge in their offensive play. He scored tries too and raised the bar as a mobile front row.

But it has been Sheehan, more than 32-year-old Rob Herring, who reacted and filled the vacuum and is now making it as difficult as possible in the process of reclaiming the shirt. Swings and roundabouts are part of the game but at 6'3'' and 110 kilos, Sheehan has the look of an immovable object.

As...