Sean O’Brien sees bigger picture

If there was one bum note that accompanied Ireland’s comprehensive Six Nations opener in Rome last week, then it was the camera shots of Sean O’Brien sitting glum-faced in the Stadio Olimpico stands as the Italy game passed him by.

Named to make his first start for Ireland since November of 2013 after his long-standing shoulder problems, it was O’Brien’s hamstrings that let him down in the warm-up and he was forced to vacate his place in the back row.

So near, yet so far.