O’Brien Blow For Leinster And Ireland
Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor confirmed today at a press conference that back rower Sean O’Brien would be out for the next ‘five or six months’ due to a second reconstruction on the same shoulder that saw him miss last year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Speaking to the media today, Matt O’Connor said: “Sean’s in the UK at the moment. If all things go according to plan, he’ll have a shoulder reconstruction tomorrow.
“There was a little bit of a complication with the previous surgery due to the infection, so they’re going to have to go in and redo that reconstruction of his shoulder, which is about a five or six month time-frame.”
Despite looking set to miss a significant chunk of the season, O’Connor said the Tullow man, who has been capped 30 times for Ireland, is remaining upbeat.
“The positive thing is the ankle procedure he had a couple of weeks ago was a lot more minor than we thought. The shoulder will be as good as new. He’s looking at the upsides.
“Everyone’s very disappointed for him and for the group, but it’s part and parcel of what we do everyday. He’s upbeat and positive and just wants to get well and play again. Our medical team is comfortable that he’ll come back fully fit.”
As well as missing some crucial games in Leinster’s season, O’Brien will be an absentee for Ireland’s upcoming GUINNESS Series clashes and most likely the Six Nations campaign next spring.