IRELAND HAVE BEEN dealt a severe blow with news that Sean O’Brien is likely to miss most, if not all, of the Six Nations.
O’Brien will need surgery on his injured shoulder and Leinster confirmed this afternoon that he is set to face a significant spell on the sidelines.
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The flanker dislocated his shoulder during the second half of Saturday’s inter-provincial against Ulster with initial estimates ruling him out for six weeks. The need for surgical repairs to O’Brien’s shoulder have lengthened the timeframe for his return.
Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes told TheScore.ie that the loss of the openside is a huge blow for his province and country. He said:
The timeframe for that has moved it outside of that six weeks. It has not actually been set in stone but it’s significant enough, the surgical intervention, so that means six to eight weeks at a minimum.”
Asked if the back-row would miss most, if not all, of the Six Nations, Gibbes responded, “It looks like that. They are not going to put an absolute line in the sand. They are going to see how it goes.”
Leinster are faced with a tricky set of fixtures over the coming weeks, with an interprovincial clash with Connacht on Saturday and Heineken Cup games at home to Ospreys and away to Castres. “Of course with a guy like [O'Brien], it’d be nice to have him in your team but it is just an opportunity for other guys,” said Gibbes. “That is what we’ve tried to get going at Leinster over these last couple of years.
“Injuries happen, somebody else gets to take their place and the same standards are expected of them.” O’Brien has started just five games for Leinster this season. Shane Jennings has deputised for Carlow native in recent outings while Dominic Ryan will also be in contention for the 7 jersey.
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Talk of a six nations return unnecessary. Let the man recover properly for his and Ireland/Leinster’s sake.
Meanwhile an opportunity has now arrived for the likes of Murphy, Dougal etc. Let the competition begin.
Speedy recovery Sean.
Would love to see Tommy O’Donnell get a chance during the 6N! He can break through tacklers, he’s very fast and he is good at scoring tries. He’s a Tipp tank!
Munster can provide cover in the form of Dougall and Todd. 2 players defo due a call. Ulster I guess Henry and maybe Henderson but he’ll be missed whomever we go with.
He’s irreplaceable, he’s the best 7 in the northern hemisphere and one of the best in the world. He has been our most important player for a couple of seasons.
I think it’s likely that Henry will play at 7. We have a lot of cover at 6 and 8 but not a lot of international quality 7s.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
Dissappointing about O
Brien but hopefully Dominic Ryan gets a decent go now,one of the most under
-utilised players in Irish rugby should be in the Leinster team more often and even in with a shout for the Irish back row, he is quality and the sooner mat o Connor and joe Schmidt realise that the better!.
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He’s going to be a huge loss for Leinster and Ireland. Hope there won’t be long term problems.
Good luck to him !!
Bummer
Dreadful news. FFS.
I assumed the Tullow Tank had bones of adamantium & mithril!
He doesnt have bones, its an exoskeleton!
Ireland’s best player, a huge loss but we have the most strength in depth in the back row provincially and nationally
Huge loss, get well soon Sean, go easy on the farming while recovering!
Talk of a six nations return unnecessary. Let the man recover properly for his and Ireland/Leinster’s sake.
Meanwhile an opportunity has now arrived for the likes of Murphy, Dougal etc. Let the competition begin.
Speedy recovery Sean.
Maybe chance for Leinster to try Jordi Murphy as a 7!!! …and a future 7 for Ireland
Terrible news, very sorry for him but someone else will now get their chance so silver linings and all that
Really hope he’s back before the 6 nations is over. He didn’t get the name Tullow Tank for nothing. Hope for a speedy recovery
Would love to see Tommy O’Donnell get a chance during the 6N! He can break through tacklers, he’s very fast and he is good at scoring tries. He’s a Tipp tank!
:( hope it goes well and he’s a quick enough recovery.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Brutal. There goes our best ball carrier for the Six Nations.
Terrible news. Hope he makes a swift but more importantly full recovery.
Just get well Sean. Let’s win the first 5 six nations games and have him back for the Slam.
4
Munster can provide cover in the form of Dougall and Todd. 2 players defo due a call. Ulster I guess Henry and maybe Henderson but he’ll be missed whomever we go with.
Time to start debating a replacement…If Ferris could make a medical miracle happen and return, that would be just lovely. Suggestions..?
He’s irreplaceable, he’s the best 7 in the northern hemisphere and one of the best in the world. He has been our most important player for a couple of seasons.
I think it’s likely that Henry will play at 7. We have a lot of cover at 6 and 8 but not a lot of international quality 7s.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
Dissappointing about O
Brien but hopefully Dominic Ryan gets a decent go now,one of the most under
-utilised players in Irish rugby should be in the Leinster team more often and even in with a shout for the Irish back row, he is quality and the sooner mat o Connor and joe Schmidt realise that the better!.