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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Grand Slam bench press prompts Rob Herring to declare: 'Let's go and win a World Cup'

Ireland's bench press was so good in this Six Nations that Rob Herring believes a World Cup triumph has to be next on this squad's agenda.

During his time with England, Eddie Jones talked not of replacements but of 'finishers' - and that's exactly what Ireland's men in reserve turned out to be during the successful Grand Slam charge.

Fittingly, it was one of those replacements - Herring, in this case - who put the icing on Ireland's cake on Saturday with the fourth try before the finish.

READ MORE: More Grand Slam glory for Ireland as under-20s go back to back in the Six Nations

Half an hour later, the South Africa born Ulster hooker is standing pitchside and is asked when was the last time he wore a winner's medal around his neck.

"Good question," said the 32-year-old. "A long time ago. Too many silvers.

"It's hard to put into words. The whole week, the build up to it, we really did feel how special it was going to be.

"The energy in Dublin this week, the way to the stadium, the answers, even when things weren't going right the crowd were there picking us up. I've never experienced anything like this."

What comes next is logical, as far as Herring is concerned.

"Go and win a World Cup, hopefully," he stated. "We're the number one team in the world, why wouldn't we dare to dream?

"We've put ourselves in this position and the belief in the squad is there. That's our next goal."

That belief saw Herring come off the bench against Wales and then into the starting line-up against France when Dan Sheehan was ruled out.

Rónan Kelleher replaced Herring when he suffered a first half head injury, then Kelleher started against Italy with Sheehan restored to the bench.

Against Scotland, Sheehan wore the no 2 jersey and Kelleher was in reserve. Both hookers were injured during the game but Sheehan was able to start against England, with Herring fit again and restored to the bench.

"You have to keep putting in the performances that put you in the frame," he said. "Hooker is a competitive position, like a lot of other positions. We have to do what we can and play well when we get the chance."

Herring held his young daughter Millie as he spoke. "That's something that's so great about the environment that Andy has created," he said. "For a lot of us, this is our why, this is why we play.

"Everything is inclusive and it's such a good atmosphere. To be able to have her on the pitch and watching the game, she won't understand it yet but one day I'll tell her the tale."

One of the highlights of the 29-16 victory over England was Jack Conan's superb off-load to Sheehan for the third try, a score that gave Ireland a vital breathing space.

The Leinster no 8 revealed the feeling at half-time with the game in the balance. "Absolutely bricking," he admitted.

"Look, we knew it would be difficult, we knew they would come out to ruin the party but we stuck to the task and we got there in the end."

Conan was another who made a big impact when he came on, as he had done against Wales, France and Scotland - he scored an important try at Murrayfield. He also started in Rome.

Ireland's Mack Hansen and replacements Jack Conan, Conor Murray and Cian Healy celebrate with Rob Herring after his try against England (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

"All I want to do is make an impact when I get the chance and I back my skill set," said Conan. "I feel good, I feel fit and I was ready to make an impact and I'm happy I was able to do something when I got on.

"The boys had done great for 60 minutes but it was great to get a bit of time and add to the momentum and the scoreline.

"They (the replacements) have been class. It shows the strength in depth and the players that have been picked by the coaching staff, just how good we are and the talent that's in the country at the moment.

"There's loads of other lads who could have stepped up if some people hadn't been fit. We still would have got the job done.

"Just incredibly humbled and honoured to be standing here with this medal around my neck, it's an incredible privilege."

Jimmy O'Brien became Ireland's newest Six Nations cap when he got eight minutes against Italy.

But, having made his Test debut in November against South Africa, he had to step up again when Hugo Keenan was injured at the end of the first half.

"I knew it was going to be me," said O'Brien. "I went on but thought he would be back on.

"I didn’t have a chance to think about much, just get on and take my place. It was only when I got into the changing room at half-time that I realised that Hugo wasn’t coming back on.

"You just try and convince yourself that it is just another game. You focus on the things that you normally would in any match.

"It's tough. You go through the nerves stage, knowing that it passes quickly and you just concentrate, stay in the moment, not overthink."

The 23-year-old Leinster back summed up the night.

"I don’t think that you can put it into words, it was f***ing incredible," he smiled.

"That was the most electric atmosphere I have ever felt at the Aviva. The anthems were unbelievable. Myself and Mack just had a quick hug beforehand, we looked at each other and said this is just unbelievable."

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