O’Brien doubtful for RDS showdown

SEAN O’BRIEN’s rich vein of form could be interrupted this week with the Leinster flanker rated as doubtful for the province’s meeting with Ospreys at the RDS on Friday evening.

The Tullow man, who has been in superb form for his club since the November internationals, received what Leinster skills coach Richie Murphy described yesterday as “a very bad laceration to the face” over one eye during last weekend’s win against Connacht.

The injury necessitated O’Brien’s departure after just 13 minutes of the game in Ballsbridge. He has been named in the provisional panel for the Ospreys tie but a decision on his involvement, if any, will be made today.