O’Brien out for four months

Leinster flanker Sean O’Brien has been confirmed as a major doubt for Ireland’s opening test match against South Africa in early November.

The Irish number seven had been carrying a hip injury during the ill-fated three-test series against New Zealand and will undergo surgery on the injury this week.

“He is going having some keyhole surgery on his hip to repair some cartilage damage,” said Irish team manager Mick Kearney.