Treviso is a must for me: Sean

SEAN O’BRIEN knew his Grand Slam dream was gone in 90 seconds but still believes his luck’s in as he looks to future success.

Injuries have cost O’brien, 31, two 6 Nations titles now and while Irish Rugby has enjoyed two Grand Slam triumphs in the past nine years, one of the country’s best-ever players hasn’t been involved in either.

That’s the legacy of his wholly committed approach to back row combat - and the Tullow Tanks says he’s just had to make his peace with missing out.

“It’s probably part and parcel of it now, but it’s tough, obviously,” he admitted.

“You miss those big days that you’ve worked so hard for and you want to be involved in.

“When you miss the likes of a Grand Slam year, it does hurt a little bit. But I always try to look at the positives. Next year is a World Cup year and there’s a 6 Nations to play.

“So there’s two massive opportunities to go and win two more trophies, hopefully.”

And, before that a potential Champions Cup and PRO14 double with rampant Leinster.

“That’s the plan, to get a run of games, keep the body right,” he said.

At the start of his career he would’ve gone into a dark place.

But watching Jamie Heaslip take the applause of the

Aviva Stadium crowd last Sunday, O’brien realises he’s fortunate. Heaslip avoided big injuries for all of his career until the one that ultimately ended it 13 months ago.

O’brien confided: “Everyone says to me, ‘How do you keep going?’, but I look forward to what’s ahead. If I get injured, I get injured. Watching Jamie, the only thing I said to myself was, ‘It could always be worse’, you know?

“At least I’m still getting back from these things and I don’t have something that’s career ending or putting me in jeopardy of my career being ended.

“So, they’re all fixable things – touch wood – so far. We’re in a lucky place to be in the situation we’re in, some of us.

“That’s why, when we have opportunities to win trophies and be a part of something special, you don’t want to miss out”.

A hip injury required an operation in January but he was targeting a comeback for the Twickenham finale against England on St Patrick’s Day.

But his return for Leinster eight days earlier, against Scarlets, was over almost before it began. O’brien lasted until the 27th minute, but he knew the jig was up much earlier.

He explained: “I was swearing inside because it was tough.

“I knew what was coming and I just wanted to get a f...in’ game under my b e l t , basically, get back going at it.” lead with Simon Murray’s vicious drive from 25 yards tipped over the crossbar for a corner by the stretching Craig Gordon.

Celtic pushed Dundee back again but the Taysiders looked organised, aggressive and resolute, although Parish had to push a Forrest drive past a post just before the halfhour mark before Scott Sinclair headed over from the corner.

Celtic enjoyed some luck in added time when Dedryck Boyata’s tackle on Roarie Deacon at the edge of the box saw the ball fly past Gordon, only to rebound off a post with Hendry completing the clearance.

Parish made saves from Forrest, Stuart Armstrong and Sinclair as Celtic stepped up the tempo at the start of the second half.

In the 87th minute Hendry headed a Griffiths free-kick inches past but there was no late winner for the Parkhead men.

Leinster gaffer SEAN O’BRIEN admits he must play against Treviso next week to make the Champions Cup semi-final against Scarlets. O’brien has only played 27 minutes since the start of the year and has ruled out a return against Zebre at the RDS on...

DECISIONS Leo Cullen