All Sean O’Brien needs are a couple of good performances to see out the Leinster season and he will be in prime position.
The Irish flanker had a decent Six Nations but, from a personal level, he would have been hoping for more.
He book-ended his tournament with fierce outings against Scotland and England. While CJ Stander was the Irish back row with the most carries and metres made, O’Brien racked up handy numbers.
It was his performance against England, in tandem with Peter O’Mahony, that proved tantalising. Two rabid hounds snapping and snarling at England throughout, with Stander freed up back at No.8.
Still, there were doubts over whether ‘The Tullow Tank’ could make Warren Gatland’s Lions squad. All such were dispelled when O’Brien tore into Wasps in the champions Cup quarter final.
That he picked up another niggling injury ahead of the Champions Cup semi final may have influenced matters in 2013 but Gatland’s squad was named two days before O’Brien was ruled out. He is set to return for the final straight of the Guinness PRO12.
Former England and Lions centre Will Greenwood expects O’Brien to make an impact in the closing weeks of the regular season and carry that form into the Lions tour. Writing for The Telegraph, he declared:
‘Like all Irish horses at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he’s timed his run to perfection. Back from injury and now looking like the tank he’s known as. An incredible ball carrier.
‘He’s also tough, has that experience from 2013, is a great tourist and a great bloke. But above all, he’s a great rugby player that everyone is chuffed to see fit.’
O’Brien is likely to be duking it out with Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric for the openside role.
Playing himself into form when the big games are being decided, and trophies are being handed out, won’t do his chances any harm at all. He definitely has Greenwood’s backing.
