O’Brien very upbeat on his recovery

LEINSTER and Ireland star Sean O’Brien struck a positive note on his rehab yesterday having been ruled out of the majority of last season with injury. The flanker missed out on Leinster’s Pro14 and Champions Cup glory, as well as Ireland’s Grand Slam, after picking up hip and shoulder injuries. Although he would not commit to a specific comeback date, he said his recovery is going well. ‘I hope to be back on the field in a week or two and we’ll assess then, my aim is to be fitter than ever,’ said O’Brien, at the announcement of Leinster’s partnership with technology firm BearingPoint.

MUNSTER second row Billy Holland believes Tadhg Beirne will add an extra dimension to the forwards this season. Beirne won the Pro14 player of the year award for his displays with the Scarlets last season and Holland is excited about what he can bring to Munster. ‘The more quality players in the squad the better,’ said the 33-year-old Holland. ‘Tadhg certainly showed what he can do last season. I think he can bring great ball skills and you have seen what he can do on the poach.’

NEW Connacht skipper Jarrad Butler is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky for the province when they host Glasgow in Galway on Saturday. The Scots arrive at the Sportsground for the third year in a row for the season’s opening game looking for a third straight win. ‘This pre-season has been really good,’ said Butler, who takes over the captaincy from the retired John Muldoon ‘We’ve gone back to basics a little bit and it’s been really positive. ‘We have put ourselves in a really good spot for the first round against Glasgow.’

FORMER Leinster centre Brendan Macken has been signed by Declan Kidney’s London Irish. Macken joins the English Championship side after spells with Wasps and Leicester Tigers. ‘Brendan’s got a lot of experience and plenty of ability,’ said Kidney.