DAN SHEEHAN has become reliable source of inspiration for Ireland and Leinster in the biggest moments. And his sensational performances will lead to him captaining the Lions against the Western Force on Saturday. He is one of eight Ireland players starting in Perth - alongside - Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier - while Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, and Jack Conan are on the bench. The 26-year-old Leinster hooker has 32 international caps to his name since Andy Farrell gave him his debut against Japan in 2021. In the time since, he has scored 15 tries in the Green jersey, while also running in 45 tries for Leinster since making his first team debut in 2020. The Dubliner's meteoric rise has been watched closely by his family and loved ones and here SunSport takes a look at the people behind the man. Where is Dan Sheehan from and how old is he? Dan Sheehan is originally from Dublin, and was born on September 17, 1998, making him 26 years of age. Sheehan lived in Romania for three years and upon returning to Ireland attended Clongowes Wood College. He went on to represent Lansdowne FC and Dublin University in the AIL, before making his senior Leinster debut against Zebre in October 2020. Who is in his family? Dan is one of four kids in his family, alongside brother Bobby and sisters Emma and Susie. His parents names are Sinead and Barry, the latter having instilled the desire to play rugby in his superstar son. Barry Sheehan played for UCD in the 1980s and 1990s, while further back, his grandfather Denis played for Leinster. It took some time for his family to be able to share in Dan's breakthrough in the Ireland team. While he made his debut at the Aviva Stadium in November 2021, it was not until he made his Six Nations bow against Wales in February 2022 that his family was able to be at the game. Who is his girlfriend Katherine? Dan Sheehan has been in a relationship with Katherine for a number of years, with photos on social media tracing their bond back as early as 2017. While the former has made his name in rugby, the latter has sporting pedigree in her own right as a hockey player with UCD, where she also studies Medicine. Ever supportive of one another, they attended the 2022 Leinster Rugby Awards Ball where Dan won LAYA Healthcare Men's Young Player of the Year. Katherine was also in attendance at the Stade Velodrome to watch her partner help Ireland to victory over France.