Cullen gives update on O'Brien as concern mounts over Ireland flanker's shoulder injury
It’s been a season to forget for Sean O’Brien – his latest comeback lasted just 40 minutes against Benetton Rugby last weekend, before being hauled off at half-time.
The flanker, who missed Ireland’s Grand Slam winning campaign, was desperate to get back in time for the closing stages of the season, as Leinster chase glory on two fronts, in the Champions Cup and PRO14.
He was left out of Leinster’s 23-man squad for Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final with the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium and now head coach Leo Cullen has revealed why.
“He didn’t come through this week and he’s had a procedure on his shoulder today.”
“He was in with a surgeon this morning, so we’ll have a report out in due course. I don’t know the full details myself yet.”
“He went to see his specialist during the week and he got booked in for a slot today. We’ll find out the full extent of that over the next few days.”
Nicknamed the ‘Tullow Tank’, the flanker has been in the wars this season, he complained of a hip problem in December after Leinster’s Champions Cup game with Exeter at the Aviva, and would have surgery on the problem a few weeks later, which ruled him out of the start of the Six Nations.
His comeback from that injury on March 9th lasted just 26 minutes when he came off the pitch with an injury to his left shoulder, in a 10-10 PRO14 draw at the Scarlets.
O’Brien has played just six times for Leinster this season, completing 80 minutes just twice.
Last Saturday’s 40-minute cameo against Benetton would appear to be his last action of the season, with the 31-year-old also set to miss Ireland’s three-Test tour of Australia in June.
Here is the team to represent Leinster in tomorrow's #ChampionsCup Semi-Final at @AVIVAStadium against Scarlets. #JoinTheRoar #LEIvSCA pic.twitter.com/0GMMelb76G
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 20, 2018
Mercifully for Leinster and Ireland are not light in the backrow department, with Dan Leavy becoming a key player for club and country this year.
There is better news on the injury front for Robbie Henshaw – his season appeared to be over when he walked off the pitch in a sling and inhaling pain relief during Ireland’s Natwest 6 Nations win over Italy.
But the centre’s remarkable recovery from a dislocated shoulder, which he sustained while scoring a try, is complete with the former Connacht man being named in the centre for Leinster’s semi-final with the Scarlets.
He will be alongside Garry Ringrose in a pretty formidable midfield partnership.
James Lowe, who has been a revelation since joining the province with an impressive strike record of 9 tries in just 10 appearances, misses out because only two ‘non-Europeans’ can be included.
Those spots have been given to Jamison Gibson-Park, who is named at scrumhalf alongside captain Johnny Sexton, while Australian Scott Fardy is in the pack.
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments