LEINSTER SENIOR COACH Stuart Lancaster has lamented the loss of Sean O’Brien and his ‘huge’ off-field presence to London Irish.
The Premiership-bound club yesterday confirmed the recruitment of the 54-Test Ireland international, signalling that his 11-year run with Leinster will end in June and his international career will almost certainly come to a close when Ireland’s World Cup campaign does.
While Lancaster agreed that Leinster’s strength in depth will soften the blow of the Tullow Tank’s departure, he admits a tinge of regret that injury limited O’Brien to just 20 appearances (so far) during their time working together.
“I’d love to have coached him more, certainly, coached him day-in day-out, week-in week-out,” said Lancaster.
“Because his influence off the field has been huge since I’ve been here yet he’s only played in probably half the games.
“It’s a great signing for London Irish, a disappointment for Leinster. But it’s part of the nature of the game, unfortunately.”
As the ex-England coach hinted, he has seen enormous value delivered from O’Brien whether he was fit to play or just to add his voice to preparations.
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.”
“I don’t think anyone’s underestimating the impact Sean has had. 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, his leadership… even though injuries have been frustrating for him, he’s always in every meeting, always contributing, always adding value, showing leadership.
“It wasn’t that long ago, with the Lions, he showed how good he was against the best team in the world (New Zealand). He’s still got it in him, there’s no doubt. Even at the weekend, we saw him in the game; his physicality, his carry, but it’s the affect he has on other people is the point of difference.”
O’Brien admitted in yesterday’s announcement that the decision to move on had been an immensely difficult one. However, the absence of a central contract offer from the IRFU will have forced his hand when weighed against the security to be found in a three-year deal with reported €400,000 salary from the promotion-chasing Exiles.
“When you lose a player of Sean’s quality everyone’s disappointed. In an ideal world, you keep all your best players until the very end.
“It was almost out of Leinster’s hands as soon as that national contract wasn’t offered and Seanie got such a fantastic offer from England.
“He’s going to coaches he knows well, obviously, they’re trying to build themselves back into a Premiership (force). It’s a fantastic signing for London Irish I must say, and a huge blow for us and it feels a bit like when Jamie (Heaslip) finished.”
The injuries O’Brien has suffered in recent years bring some to raise concern for his durability when he arrives to England as a 32-year-old after enjoying a tightly-managed workload in Ireland throughout his entire career. Lancaster feels the familiar faces in the London Irish backroom team will keep the back row from being flogged.
“He’s probably got the advantage that Declan probably knows him better than anyone, really, so I’d be surprised if they try and play him in every Premiership game, in every European game.
“I think they’ll use him wisely but I think he’ll have the same impact at London Irish as he has at Leinster, his presence will be felt both on the field as well as off it.
“So I think they’ll use him and manage him wisely. And if they do, there’s no reason from what I’ve see over the last few weeks that he can’t continue to play for the next few years.”
Ireland and Leinster will watch on enviously as long as he does.
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Fitzgerald’s kicking when he came on for Horwitz in his last game was top drawer. Interesting to see how he goes from the start in such a big game. A result for Connacht would be massive.
Was Blade released from the Irish squad, or did he just not return after last week? I thought he was in the extended squad announced on Tuesday?
@Darragh Murray: He was in the extended squad but got released.. so looks like Murray and Cooney for Italy game.. let’s home Cooney starts
@Tom Kenny: didn’t see that announced anywhere, thanks Tom!
Ok maybe I’m missing something here , but I don’t see a back up out half anywhere unless you count TOH or MH having to slot in !! Also where’s Horwitz and Copeland !!! Both seem to have gone MIA !!
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: Godwin at centre is also a fly half at times.
Horwitz has been quite unimpressive at 10 this year.
@David Hickey: I think he’s been solid most of the time but he had an absolute mare in his last game. I wouldn’t write him off just yet, but I can see why he’s not in the team atm.
@ScewMadd: For me he has been a 6 out of 10 player. Unimpressive. By no means bad. (Although a fortnight ago was a travesty).
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: Copeland has fairly significant hip surgery before Christmas!! Probably be another few weeks before we see him again!!
He hasn’t settled in I think , the weather is a big factor for a 10 and well Sportsground weather is a real Ripley’s believe it or not, time to give up on SH tens and get them from nearer home in future me thinks
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: he was always an odd choice, in as much as he wasn’t an out and out 10, or at least he had filled in at twelve a good bit in his career, kind of the opposite of Godwin. He left Tahs to get game time at Rebels and then promptly couldn’t get in their match day squad – announcing half way into the season he was off to Connacht might not have helped. To be fair Western Force being disbanded meant there suddenly was a lot more availability and competition for slots in the remaining Aussie team’s squads. I thought it was strange the clamour on here that he would unseat Carty considering no one had seen him kick. As it turned out in a positive sense it hasn’t been so much a case of Horwitz failing as Carty succeeding. With Jack’s form we may need Horwitz next autumn anyway!
Ronaldson will be back in the picture another questionable 10, FITZGERALD looks the part,