Why Ireland will be counting on O’Brien

Stats mean nothing to powerful openside flanker when there are hits to be made

Not that he’s counting, but fresh from leading Ireland’s tackle tally against Wales last Saturday, Sean O’Brien is expecting another step up in physicality when England visit the Aviva Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

The statistics tell us that openside flanker O’Brien led the bodies-on-the-line defensive effort in Cardiff seven days ago with an astonishing 23 tackles as Ireland withstood a ferocious Welsh fightback from 30-3 down after 42 minutes to hang on for a 30-22 victory.