PRE-SEASON IS A time of pain for rugby players everywhere, as they push themselves close to their physical limits in order to make long-term gains.
Gordon DโArcy described Leinsterโs schedule as โkind of like Groundhog Day for 10 weeks,โ as the players โ just about recoverโ for the beginning of each new five-day block of training.
Back row Sean OโBrien is among the breed of player who looks forward to this time of the year, however, relishing the opportunity to improve himself as an athlete away from the distraction of matches and injury.
โIt is enjoyable definitely, but it is definitely hard work. It mightnโt be enjoyable for all the time youโre doing it, but you do feel good afterwards. I suppose you know you have to push on and set new standards this year and keep pushing each other.
I think every year you do change, every year you get in better shape. Iโm getting there now this year, into even better shape than I was in at the start of last season. Every season that passes by, I think you develop a little bit and grow.โ
OโBrien lives with Leinster nutritionist and FoodFlickerโs Daniel Davey, something the Tullow man admits is of great benefit to his recovery and body composition. Nutrition is โa big thing that Iโve gotten very into in the last few years,โ points out OโBrien.
The 27-year-old explains that he is a major advocate of staying in shape even before Leinster reconvene for their pre-season: โI think when you get older as well, you need to be minding yourself that little bit more. I came back in in reasonable shape.โ
Much of the most demanding conditioning of the summer is already behind Leinster, as they look forward to their first friendly fixture against Northampton in just over a fortnight.
As the province introduce more and more structure-based rugby drills to their training, OโBrien has had the opportunity to assess new coaching additions Leo Cullen [forwards coach] and Marco Caputo [scrum coach], who have stepped in โseamlesslyโ.
We all know Leo is very smart and was a brilliant leader and captain in the last few years. I never had a doubt that it would be difficult for him to be a forwards coach. Iโm really enjoying some of the new things heโs brought in as well.
โWeโve had unit sessions in the last two weeks or so; line-outs, scrums, different things. Marco coming in as well has been very good and very astute. He delivers what he wants very well. I couldnโt be happier with the two lads.โ
Hopefully Sean will be back to his best. Really looking forward to seeing him play again. When it comes to the Irish set up, itโll be very interesting to see what happens considering the competition for places up front. Especially considering Chris Henry had such a great Six Nations. Cant wait for the South Africa test in November.
Backrow will be a very competitive area this year. The big 3 could easily field a complete Irish backrow.
As a Leinster fan Iโm looking forward to seeing Ruddock and OโBrien at full tilt on the same pitch.
This hopefully will be a massive yr for ruddock. I hoping his physicality could make up somewhat for the loss off ferris. But I Mahoney had a fantastic six nations to. Great options for the green
Hopefully Luke Fitzโll stay fit. Ditto Stuart Olding. Their provinces โ and the Ireland backline post-BOD โ need them.
If McCarthy keeps his Leinster shirt then heโll be playing well enough to cover for Ireland. Heโs going to need a big season for that to happen.
Diack and Henry expected to do well but more curious to see if Butterworth and Taggart can push for the matchday squad.
Curious to see how Butterworth and Taggart in the matchday squad for Ulster when Henry and Diack are called up.
Irish backrow from SOB Heaslip Henry O Mahony Ruddock. Bubbling under then is Murphy Diack Copeland. Not to shabby! Second row is a problem though depth wise especially if POC gets injured.
Toner, Henderson, McCarthy & Ryan might disagree with you there. POC is undoubtedly #1 but thereโs definitely depth in the 2nd row. I think the only position in the pack thatโs a bit shallow is hooker.
Toner Henderson Are quality alright. But McCarthy & Ryan need big seasons. McCarthy hasnโt been great since he moved to Leinster & Ryan needs to stay fit. These 2 are good but not world class in my opinion.
Donโt forget Touhy either. I wouldnโt say weโre too short at hooker. Weโve got Best, Cronin, Strauss, Varley, Herring and Casey. And Mike Sherry has to come back as well
Will O Brien get his place for Ireland??
Been watching recordings of our 6 nations games and the more I look the more I see how good Chris Henry was!
His defensive work in particular was outstanding!
He does so much of the hard graft I wonder if we can afford to do without him.
Maybe we could keep Henry at 7 and play O Brien at 6.
But what happens to O Mahony then?
Does he go to 8 instead of Heaslip?
Is Seanie good enough in the lineout for 6? He was excellent there for Leinster a few years back, but I think he could be best suited to playing no. 8
Henry played amazing in for Ireland but the 7 jersey will be owned by Oโbrien presuming heโs fit, if we are to stand any chance in the world cup which is what we should be preparing for this year the we will need his physicality to match the packs from south Africa, new zealand and Australia. The only way I see Henry getting the starting 7 spot Is if Oโbrien is moved to 8 if heaslip Is injured because if heaslip is fit I canโt see smichdt dropping him at 8 or dropping Oโmahony at 6. A back row of Oโmahony, Oโbrien and heaslip with Henry, ruddock, murphy etc on the bench would be one of the strongest back rows in the world cup.
Just reading the comments about players and the depth of personal Ireland have at the min and all I have to say isโฆI started to get goosebumps thinking about the new season!! Cant wait for it to kick off now, as for picking players and a back row especially, well I may leave that to Joe, sure he did alright last year! But we do have a great choice at the min in lots of positions.