INJURED OPENSIDE SEAN O’Brien is as excited as the rest of us at the prospect of Ireland taking on South Africa.
And while most Ireland supporters fear for Ireland in the physicality stakes without the Tullow Tank, the Leinster powerhouse is backing his provincial team-mate along with his positional rivals to make the inroads Ireland need in the Springbok defence.
“Whatever back row they play, they’re all able to carry the ball: Pete [O'Mahony] or Chris [Henry], Tommy O’Donnell or Rhys [Ruddock] or whoever they play there,” said O’Brien as a Guinness Plus app ambassador.
“So there’s lots of options and there’ll be no shortage of lads to carry ball on Saturday. Sean Cronin’s been in unbelievable form and I’m looking forward to seeing him now.”
It is close to 12 months since O’Brien last played for Ireland. His last outing coming in the loss to New Zealand before a dislocated shoulder stopped him playing a role in the successful Six Nations campaign.
Now, after an infection was found in the same shoulder, O’Brien is again a major doubt to return in time for the 2015 edition so Ireland and Leinster have had to modify their gameplans to allow for the absence of the island’s most explosive ball carrier.
“I think they’ve adapted to it. It might be slightly different, but I haven’t played in a good while so they’re well used to it. Both Leinster and Ireland have had lots of games since I’ve been injured so I don’t think it’s affected them that much.”
Saturday’s fixture is precisely the sort of game that O’Brien seems to have been built for. The most physically imposing of international Tests. And yet the Tullow Tank has only faced the ‘Boks once in his career, as a replacement in the 2009 win at Croke Park.
“They’re obviously a massively physical team so it will be a very interesting at the start of the game, how we set a marker down.
“I’m excited for the lads, I’m excited to watch the game. I think it’s just going to be a cracker. Hopefully we do well and as long as we get something out of this November series it will be well worth it.”
Guinness teamed up with Sean O’Brien to announce an extraordinary experience for rugby fans on the Guinness Plus mobile App to celebrate the upcoming Guinness Series internationals.
Supporters who check in to their local pub on match day Saturday 8th November will have the chance present the Man of the Match award at the International against Australia. The lucky winner will also receive tickets to the game for themselves and two friends.
