Brian O’Driscoll hails returning Sean O’Brien role in Ireland team
The Carlow native has been named in a back-row that also features Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander
Daire Walsh
It is almost a year to the day since his last start for Ireland, but Sean O’Brien remains a pivotal figure within Joe Schmidt’s set-up.
That is according to his former provincial and international team-mate Brian O’Driscoll, who was speaking ahead of today’s Guinness Series encounter between Ireland and Argentina.
The Carlow native has been named in a back-row that also features Munster duo Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander. Following an injury-ravaged 2017/18 campaign, O’Driscoll expects a fully-fit O’Brien [whose last Test appearance was also against the Pumas] to be a mainstay at openside flanker for the foreseeable future.
“I think Seán is Ireland’s first-choice number seven. Dan Leavy had an incredible year last year, Jordi Murphy played really well when he came in and Josh van der Flier has been really good for Leinster. But I think when it comes down to it, Seán is a guy who has done it in the past for Joe when he’s asked,” O’Driscoll remarked at WHPR in Dublin yesterday.
“He’s respected on the world stage, the Kiwis really respect him. He’s the one player that could get into their team, without any doubt. They admit that themselves and they don’t say that lightly.
“I loved playing in the same team as Seán O’Brien. You just knew that there was no backwards step. Other players might have better components to their game here and there but on the whole, Seán is Ireland’s number seven in the World Cup if he can remain fit.”