HARRY SHERIDAN WANTS to build on his experiences with the Emerging Ireland squad as he sees to establish himself with Ulster.
The 23-year-old forward played in two of the three tour games under Simon Easterby in South Africa and is now aiming to use that as a springboard with the northern province.
Sheridan played just 20 minutes off the bench in Ulster’s narrow win over Glasgow in last month’s URC opening round.
It was a notable impact, and the versatile player, who can also perform in the back row, comes into the starting side at lock for tonight’s clash with the Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium.
“I’ll pile into this one, it’s a big game and a massive opportunity for us. I’d like to fire into this weekend full metal jacket and hopefully we’ll come out with the win,” he said.
The final year Management Science and Information Systems student at Trinity College Dublin is clearly keen to wear his club jersey again.
The rising star made his Ulster debut in January 2023 and will feature alongside Emerging Ireland teammate Cormac Izuchukwu, who has been picked in the back row while fellow tourists Scott Wilson and Jude Postlethwaite are benched.
“I really enjoyed it,” Sheridan said of his Emerging Ireland games against the Pumas and Cheetahs.
“It’s a massive shock for anyone going in there and there is massive expectation from day one to come in and have all your all your detail and stuff like that.
“The level of expectation is there, and I did my best to try and deliver on that,” Sheridan added.
“The level of detail and responsibility is on each player to be around the roles and learn the roles that you’re not meant to be covering.
“With second row and back row for me there is a lot of variety there, so you need to make sure you’re on top of it.
“Within that the level of analysis we were doing, we had so much opportunity over there to run ideas off each other so you’re expected to have those conversations, and it was a given that you were doing that, it wasn’t just a bonus,” he said.
He is a big unit for a flanker… I was very impressed with his ability to fight through the tackle in SA. Stephen Ferris Mark II maybe. He has a very cluttered field to get through, but I see a bright international future for this boy.
@Paul Ennis: some of the other options look a bit lightweight compared to this guy!
@brian o’leary: Not sure I would call POM, Beirne, Cian Prendergast, Conan, Izzy, Baird or Ahern lightweight! That’s what is what I mean by a cluttered field. But he seems to have what it takes. I don’t think I would have him as an international 2nd row option, but I am open to correction from those who actual know!
@Paul Ennis: he’ll be PoM replacement, as in he has that aggression, enforcer mentality, he wouldn’t let another team or player intimate anyone. Something Ulster have lacked in recent years. Hes a very good player also, but that mentality may see him move above the others.
@Paul Ennis: given his size would second row not be his best fit? Although If he was mobile enough for blindside, great?
@Kingshu: I think if he wants to be POM’S Irish replacement then Ulster will have to decide which of himself or Izzy is the 6 going forward. Baird at Leinster is in the same position as Ahern is at Munster. I agree with you that Sheridan has the raw aggression that others lack but the others have unique points of difference also.
@Kingshu: exactly pom or PTSD type .. but sooo much competition in the back row in Ireland
@Tom Reilly: Ahern has that bit of dog also. Baird more of a Rolls Royce backrow. All 3 are line-out options in backrow also. As is Cormac Izzy. Probably, Ahern has more of everything. He has great speed also. Both Ahern and Baird seem to be prone to injury. All to play for.
@brian o’leary: I don’t think he is tall enough for 2nd row. He will probably play a bit of 6, 8 and cover 2nd row when stuck – similar to Coombes / Baird / Ahern
@Tom Reilly: o hearn and baird will be the fucture for ireland Sheridan just young raw no where near the irish squad for awhile anyway
He’s a dawg