‘Leader’ Sean up with greats for Lancaster
THE corridors of Leinster HQ will be that little bit quieter next season. That unmistakable shriek will not be heard on the training paddock either.
That’s the thing about Sean O’Brien, he brings presence and leadership in spades. O’Brien has endured his fair share of injuries and spent his fair share of time on the sidelines. When fit and firing, he is a world-class operator on the pitch.
Declan Kidney certainly thinks he has a few more good years left in him. It was Kidney who gave a raw, explosive flanker his first cap against Fiji 10 years ago. It was a sure bet. Heineken Cups, Six Nations titles and two Lions tours followed.
Like his good friend and former team-mate Stephen Ferris, O’Brien’s abrasive style of play inevitably leads to shattered bones and torn tendons. He has already had to contend with a broken arm this season. Whether breaking tackles on the pitch, or keeping up team morale, O’Brien will be a huge loss to Irish rugby next season.
Stuart Lancaster has seen the impact of the Tullow native first-hand over the past few years, and Leinster’s senior coach had no doubt he was in the presence of a born leader.
‘I don’t think anyone’s underestimating the impact Sean has had,’ said Lancaster.
‘I’ve coached many great players, and he’s certainly held in the highest regard in my mind, because of the way he conducts himself, on and off the field, with his leadership.
‘Even though injuries have been frustrating for him, he’s always in every meeting, always contributing, always adding value, showing leadership.’
When the likes of Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip hung up their boots, the show carried on at Leinster. The province barely missed a beat. There were young tyros coming through the system waiting for their opportunity to stake a claim for further inclusion.
O’Brien will leave, but there is no shortage of backrow talent available to Leinster.
‘You have that cycle, don’t you?’ Lancaster said.
‘The evolution of any playing squad. Jamie (Heaslip) was a good example: he goes and Jack Conan steps up, you have Caelan Doris behind him. In the same vein, you have people like Dan Leavy and Josh van der Flier, beneath them you’ve got Max Deegan or Scott Penny. That’s the nature of the production line here in Leinster and we’re very lucky to have that.’
There are many who will question whether O’Brien’s battered body will be able to cope with the punishing nature of the English Premiership. There is no player management system across the water and the ambitious Exiles — flush with cash after a bigmoney deal with a private equity firm — will want their pound of flesh from a marquee signing.
Kidney and Les Kiss are very much hoping that the Sean O’Brien who terrorised the All Blacks across the three Lions Tests in the summer of 2017 is the version who will be turning up at their Sunbury training base in December. ‘It wasn’t that long ago, with the Lions, he showed how good he was against the best team in the world,’ said Lancaster. ‘He’s still got it in him, there’s no doubt. Even at the weekend, we saw him in the (Scotland) game. His physicality, his carry, but it’s the effect he has on other people is the point of difference. ‘I think people underestimate that, until you’ve actually witnessed it and felt his presence in the changing room and meetings, that’s what Leinster will miss the most.
‘And he’s also a very good ambassador for the community as well as the game. I don’t know much about his history with Tullow, but I get the impression he’s a great advert for club rugby.’
It looks like the World Cup is shaping up to be O’Brien’s swansong in an Ireland shirt. The IRFU directive decrees that players plying their trade abroad are out of the reckoning for international selection.
Either way, this will definitely be his last campaign for Leinster after a decade of loyal service. This squad owes him a big send-off.
‘I’d love to have coached him more,’ Lancaster added.
No doubt, many more coaches have felt the same way.