IRELAND COACH JOE SCHMIDT has revealed that Sean O’Brien may be out of action for at least four months.
Schmidt, who was a guest on the Late Late Show this evening, told Ryan Tubridy that O’Brien, who had a shoulder operation last week, had little hope of featuring in the Six Nations.
The New Zealander lamented the fact that O’Brien and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris [ankle] would be missing from the Six Nations squad he names on 21 January.
Schmidt said, “Sean had an operation last Friday and he’s likely to be out for four months; maybe beyond that.”
Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes told TheScore.ie in December that O’Brien, who dislocated his shoulder in a home win over Ulster, would be out for two months. Schmidt’s comments have put a sobering note to the forward’s injury woes.
O’Brien is in France this weekend as he is meeting with representatives of Heineken Cup champions Toulon. He has yet to agree a contract extension with the IRFU. Leinster will be hoping to compete in the Pro12 and Heineken Cup finals this season so O’rien will aim to return for the business end of the current campaign.
Schmidt, meanwhile, has targeted a top two finish in the upcoming six Nations and wants to reach the World Cup semi finals with Ireland in 2015. “If you make the semi finals, you are one of four teams and you give yourself a chance to go further,” he said.
