He's putting a brave face on things, but you know this is a tough week for Sean O'Brien.
Likely to be rested for the Romania game on Sunday, the 'Tullow Tank' will fill his week with gym sessions, training and gurning for the camera with his buddy Ian Madigan.
https://instagram.com/p/752zWNEyiV/
Blackrock boy Mads is oblivious to the fact but, inside, O'Brien's heart is breaking. Madigan wouldn't know a Ratheniska if it bit him on the arse, but his Leinster team-mate yearns to be in County Laois this week at the National Ploughing Championships.
The Carlow native is stuck at the stupid Rugby World Cup while the single largest outdoor event in Europe this year is going on in the neighbouring county.
A regular visitor in years gone by, the beast of a man is missed on opening day by man and beast.
https://twitter.com/mickeybug1/status/382868480606740481
https://twitter.com/BOIbusiness/status/646268739063816193
While O'Brien is stuck at St George's Park, the home of the English FA, other rugby personalities are muscling in on the flanker's (ploughed) turf.
https://twitter.com/ProgressPR/status/646268823243485184
And it is not just the rugby fraternity who are trying to steal O'Brien's thunder, boyband members turned radio DJs are looking to corner the agricultural market.
https://twitter.com/TrendsinIreland/status/646268960116199425
Nicky Byrne's incursion begins to make sense when you consider what he was at last week. It is all beginning to make sense - with O'Brien languishing in Burton-on-Trent, the former Westlife singer is looking to corner the lucrative farming/rugby market.
https://twitter.com/nbshow2fm/status/644869517307461634
Furthermore, without O'Brien on site to hawk his mother's soda bread, other bakers are making hay... so to speak.
https://twitter.com/_melaniemay/status/646264288835989504
It gets worse, without O'Brien protecting his territory, the 'Brave and Faithful' have made a foray into Leinster territory.
https://twitter.com/MunsterOscar/status/646274205902864384
https://twitter.com/MunsterOscar/status/646274766781980672
This week won't be easy for the Carlow farmer but what better motivational tool is there than imagining bringing the Webb Ellis trophy to next year's championship.
