Italy 17-22 Ireland: Simon Easterby feels side ‘trying a bit too hard’ in Six Nations finale
Captain Caelan Doris said the title scenes weren’t a huge focus during the week, but thought they had an impact as the game progressed.
Ireland tried in the 12th minute of Monty Ioane, leading 12-10 at the break, thanks to scores from Hugo Keenan and Sheehan.
Sheehan scored two second half attempts to complete his hat-trick, but Ireland was unable to suppress his advantage and finished the game, requiring a defensive platform to see the victory.
“It’s not our respect for Italy and its attacks, something that was too pushing over a week, nor is it their ability,” Doris said.
“It’s a big ‘result’, but given how our first 20-30 was done, it might be a little bit like we want to switch when we get the chance.
“Maybe there’s a little bit of forced things out there. I’m not sure, there are a lot of last time without hands.
Ireland won its first three matches, winning a triple-winning title against Wales in Cardiff last month.
However, their hopes for the Grand Slam ended in the fourth round with a major defeat by France.
“I think there are a lot of good stuff,” added Doris of the entire event.
“We won the triple-winning game in our first three games, and there was a lot of positive things out there.
“In the past few weeks, we can learn and grow a lot of things from a lot of things and I hope to be a springboard for a group to continue to grow and a little realising that we still have a lot of work to do and there’s a lot of things in it.”
