SEAN O’BRIEN HAS been deemed fit to play for the first time since hip surgery denied him the chance play in Ireland’s World Cup campaign.
The former Leinster flanker, whose last appearance came 10 months ago in the Champions Cup final loss to Saracens, will start at blindside flanker when London Irish travel to face Sale Sharks in the Premiership tomorrow (kick-off 8pm).
O’Brien signed a three-year deal with the Exiles in the second half of last season and Declan Kidney’s side have consistently expressed a willingness to give him time to regain fitness.
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⚠️ | TEAM NEWS: Here is our squad for the trip to @SaleSharksRugby under the Friday Night Lights tomorrow evening (kick-off 8pm) 🙌@SeanOBrien1987 makes his London Irish debut ☘️
The 33-year-old remained under contract with the IRFU for the early portion of this season and so was able to undertake his rehab with Leinster for a time before moving to England. He is joined in the back row by academy flanker Ben Donnell and number 8 Albert Tuisue.
Wallaby international Sekope Kepu starts at tighthead prop, while former Ulster lock Franco van der Merwe captains the side.
The Exiles sit eighth in the Premiership table, but will kick off just seven points behind the second-placed Sharks, who boast a debutant of their own in Springbok World Cup-winner Lood de Jager.
TEAM NEWS ☘️ | ICYMI - Here are #YourSharks 2⃣3⃣ to face @LiRFC tomorrow night👇
Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to discuss why the Six Nations’ potential move behind a subscription-TV paywall is a “horrendous” idea, and the problems faced by Ireland and other countries in retaining players beyond the U20s age grade
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Sean O'Brien in line for London Irish debut after 10 months out
SEAN O’BRIEN HAS been deemed fit to play for the first time since hip surgery denied him the chance play in Ireland’s World Cup campaign.
The former Leinster flanker, whose last appearance came 10 months ago in the Champions Cup final loss to Saracens, will start at blindside flanker when London Irish travel to face Sale Sharks in the Premiership tomorrow (kick-off 8pm).
O’Brien signed a three-year deal with the Exiles in the second half of last season and Declan Kidney’s side have consistently expressed a willingness to give him time to regain fitness.
The 33-year-old remained under contract with the IRFU for the early portion of this season and so was able to undertake his rehab with Leinster for a time before moving to England. He is joined in the back row by academy flanker Ben Donnell and number 8 Albert Tuisue.
Wallaby international Sekope Kepu starts at tighthead prop, while former Ulster lock Franco van der Merwe captains the side.
The Exiles sit eighth in the Premiership table, but will kick off just seven points behind the second-placed Sharks, who boast a debutant of their own in Springbok World Cup-winner Lood de Jager.
Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to discuss why the Six Nations’ potential move behind a subscription-TV paywall is a “horrendous” idea, and the problems faced by Ireland and other countries in retaining players beyond the U20s age grade
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
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