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Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan plans to ignore the hype and treat Saturday\u2019s blockbuster World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand like any other Test match.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s men will make history as the first Irish team to progress to the last four of the tournament by downing the three-time champions in Paris.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s previous World Cup failures are well documented but Sheehan is among the younger generation of players unburdened by the baggage.<\/p>\n
The self-confident 25-year-old feels there is a stronger mentality among the class of 2023 and will not become distracted by the media fanfare surrounding a titanic Stade de France showdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mindset is different,\u201d said Sheehan. \u201cI obviously have no experience of earlier squads but the more experienced lads have shared their thoughts on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you just treat it like another game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s knockout rugby, you can build these games up as much as you want but it can end up affecting you if you give it too much attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to stick to our preparation, we\u2019ve been doing that for the last three years pretty consistently at a good level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my head and in most of the squad\u2019s heads, it\u2019s going to be pretty much same old Test rugby, you\u2019re in an Irish jersey and you go out and perform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland are seeking a record-equalling 18th successive win and have made little secret of their ambition to become world champions.<\/p>\n
Farrell\u2019s side have topped the global rankings for more than a year and go into the New Zealand game as favourites.<\/p>\n
Sheehan, who only made his international debut in November 2021, has already beaten the All Blacks twice after helping secure last year\u2019s milestone tour triumph and believes Ireland can go all the way in France.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, you want to be in these big games,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIreland hasn\u2019t been past these kind of stages so it\u2019s obviously a big motivation to get one up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe said at the start of the competition that we want to go the whole way, we think we have the squad to do it.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe can\u2019t look past tomorrow but the pride of being in this squad, it extends further than me, it goes to family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to bring a bit of enjoyment and pride to the Irish people. Something I always think about is how many people it touches back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great but you can\u2019t really get lost in it. I have a job to do, we have to go out and perform. We can think about that after.\u201d<\/p>\n