Saturday will be a proud day for the O’Brien family; a proud day for Carlow.
Sean O’Brien has led by example from minute one in his professional career.
The Tullow native arrived at Leinster through the club rugby route. He followed the likes of Shane Horgan and Stephen Ferris into Test rugby down the road less travelled.
On Saturday, at 4:55pm, the flanker will lead his country out at the Aviva Stadium for the first team.
Speaking after Ireland’s Captain’s Run, at the stadium, this afternoon, O’Brien expressed his pride at being bestowed the honour by Joe Schmidt.
He said, ‘I was absolutely delighted to be asked. It’s a great honour and something I’ve probably always wanted to do at some point. I’m very happy.’
The extended family will be in Dublin tomorrow to help him share a special moment.
‘I haven’t really spoken to anyone down there [in Carlow] yet. The family are in today, so we’ll see what they say.
‘It’s the same role for me. I’ll go out and do what I can for the team, being captain is just an added little thing to it. It doesn’t change anything from my mindset coming into the game.’
O’Brien gave his take on the delay, following neck surgery, that may keep Leinster and Ireland teammate Cian Healy out of the World Cup.
He commented, ‘Cian is a quality player and someone with huge power and strength and he’d be a massive addition to the group obviously.
‘If he does get back he’d be welcomed with open arms.’
The 28-year-old has suffered his fair share of injury issues [two shoulder operations] in the past two years so can relate to the difficulties Healy is going through. He said:
‘Cian is a strong enough minded person to know that injuries are a part of the game, and it is a difficult place to be, injuries backing up one after another.
‘But as a professional rugby player that’s life.
‘He’s done very well over the past number of months with rehab and he’s making good progress, so he’s fighting to be back as soon as he can.’
O’Brien added, ‘Cian is a chirpy and happy fella the majority of times anyway – you don’t want to get him mad!
‘He’s been very positive and he’s been working incredibly hard, doing those rehab sessions day-in, day-out, doing fitness sessions on your own, that’s a mental struggle as well. But he’s kicked on and pushed on, and he has himself in good shape.’
