O’Brien: I’ll still play for Ireland after London move
EXCLUSIVE
SEAN O’BRIEN hopes to remain in the frame for international selection after the World Cup, despite his move to London Irish later this year. Following the tournament in Japan, O’Brien will leave Leinster and link up with Declan Kidney’s Exiles on a three-year deal. The IRFU have a strict stance on selecting players based overseas, with Joe Schmidt regularly stating his preference for players to remain in the Irish system. Andy Farrell will succeed Schmidt as Ireland head coach after the World Cup, however, and O’Brien is hoping the union will apply a softer stance to players plying their trade abroad. ‘That’s the current situation now, if you’re out of the country at the minute obviously it’s a bit different, or if you’re not contracted to the World Cup, but thankfully I am,’ he said. ‘And, after that, when new
management takes over, we’ll see where we are at then. ‘But hopefully in an environment where I’m playing well and I’m fit and healthy, hopefully you are always in with a shout.’ The Tullow native will be reunited with Kidney at the ambitious London club later this year. The Corkman gave O’Brien his first Ireland cap against Fiji back in 2009 when he was Ireland head coach. Les Kiss – who worked under Kidney and Schmidt as Ireland defence coach – is also on the coaching staff at the London Irish set-up. O’Brien admitted yesterday that he had a ‘couple’ of offers from other clubs, but it was the opportunity to work with his former mentors again that influenced his decision. ‘The big thing was Deccie and Les Kiss,’ he said ‘The lads know me and know what I am about and I had a great relationship with them, always had. ‘What they wanted to achieve over there fitted with what I wanted to achieve as well. ‘So, you know for me do I look at this club or these other clubs that mightn’t have any type of culture or vision as such, but just want to try and win things. ‘I think what Deccie is trying to do over there is create a special environment to take over and try and succeed at some point in the future rather than bringing a load of people together to just try and win big games and not have longterm goals. ‘Hopefully, when I leave there, London Irish will be in a better place than when I find it after Christmas.’ O’Brien’s age (he turned 32 earlier this month) and his injury profile meant the IRFU were unwilling to offer the veteran flanker a central contract extension. Leinster were simply unable to match London Irish’s package, understood to be in the region of €400,000 per season. The offer of a three-year deal looked a big vote of confidence from Kidney, considering O’Brien’s injury problems in recent season. ‘It probably was,’ he admitted. ‘I probably pushed them on the third year. I suppose I was going to give up an awful lot here obviously. ‘So, I wanted a bit more commitment from them in terms of what they want me to do try and do there for them.’
ITALY were dealt a major injury blow yesterday with captain Sergio Parisse ruled out of Sunday’s Six Nations meeting with Ireland at Stadio Olimpico.
The No8 – who has made 136 appearances for the country – suffered a suspected concussion during Stade Francais’s 2314 loss to Lyon in the Top14 on Saturday.
It is a major loss for the Azzurri, who are on a run of 19 successive Six Nations defeats, but forwards coach Giampiero De Carli believes his side can cope without their inspirational skipper.
‘The loss of Sergio Parisse? It is clear that we lose one of the strongest number eights in the world, but we have players who are up to the situation that will be able to contribute to the team,’ he said.
‘We know Ireland well, we faced them last time in Chicago in the first Test match in November: it will be crucial for us to make the most of our opportunities.’
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) confirmed Parisse’s injury absence in a statement yesterday, but the captain will remain with the squad to help Conor O’Shea’s men prepare for Ireland’s visit to the Eternal City.
‘Sergio Parisse, captain and number eight of the national team, will not be available for the third match of the Six Nations in Rome against Ireland,’ read the FIR statement.
‘The Azzurri captain, having undergone the second phase of neurological investigations following concussive trauma reported in the Top 14 match with Stade Francais, will continue to the return-to-play protocols according to current international regulations.
‘The Italy captain will also remain with the squad.’
Ireland have injury problems of their own ahead of the thirdround assignment in Rome.
With Rhys Ruddock and Dan Leavy still out of action, it emerged that Garry Ringrose would also remain with Leinster this week to manage a hamstring injury. Ulster midfielder Will Addison is also a notable absentee due to stiffness in his lower back.
There was better news for Chris Farrell, however, The powerful centre pulled up with a knee injury during Munster’s Pro14 rout of the Southern Kings last Friday night in Cork.
But Farrell trained fully with Ireland at Carton House yesterday and has been passed fit to feature at the weekend.
Robbie Henshaw – fresh from signing a contract extension with the IRFU until 2022 – is also back in contention after the Leinster centre missed the Scotland game due to injury.
Leinster prop Andrew Porter has been given the weekend off with John Ryan set to take over the duties of back-up tighthead to Tadhg Furlong.
Meanwhile, Wales dialled up the emotion ahead of their Six Nations battle with England on Saturday with the help of Gareth Bale.
The Welsh actor — not the Real Madrid footballer — performed a one-man show at the Principality Stadium on Monday in England’s dressing room for the weekend’s match which stirred the passion among the home squad.
The hour-long play ‘Grav’ is based on the life of former Wales player-turned-broadcaster Ray Gravell who was part of the great side of the 1970s and died in 2007.
‘The play was powerful, it definitely showed the pride that Grav had and we all have in Wales,’ said wing George North.
‘I could hear Muckers (forwards coach Robin McBryde) chomping at the bit.
‘Him and Ken Owens were fighting over the hooker’s shirt at one point! They were both crying.’