JACK CONAN believes “unbelievably diligent” Ireland team-mate Dan Sheehan is part of a select group of elite sportsmen following his standout return from a serious knee injury.

Replacement hooker Sheehan claimed the crucial fourth try in Saturday evening’s 27-22 Guinness Six Nations win against England, having not played at Test level since tearing his ACL during last summer’s tour of South Africa.

The 26-year-old’s impressive cameo came only a week after he scored twice for Leinster in his first competitive outing following the long-term issue.

Back-rower Conan, who was also part of the impactful bench which helped break England’s resistance in Dublin, feels Sheehan looks like he has never been away.

“It’s a testament to him. He’s so well liked and loved within the squad because of the quality of the man that he is. He’s worked incredibly hard,” said Conan.

“He was off doing boxing and other things for his footwork, he was rehabbing in the wee hours of the morning and then coming back in later in the day to do double sessions.

“I think through all the tests he does, he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s back running top speeds he hasn’t run in a while. He’s unbelievably strong, everything.

“But more than anything his mentality (has been impressive) because when you’re not playing for such an extended period of time it’s so difficult to come back and hit your straps and just perform straight off the bat.

“To go out and perform like he never left is just incredible and I don’t think there are many athletes in any sport that could just do that, so I think he’s a bit of an outlier in that.

“He’s left no stone unturned, he’s been unbelievably diligent.”

Tries from Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne added to Jamison Gibson-Park’s first-half effort to turn the contest in the reigning champions’ favour before a line break from Conan paved the way for Sheehan to exchange passes with James Lowe and stretch for the line to secure the bonus point.

Ireland, who are chasing a historic third consecutive Six Nations title, travel to Scotland in round two.