Recovered Sean O’Brien back to wrecking ball best

In five weeks or so, when the four provinces unite to launch their bid for a third RBS 6 Nations title, even Munster supporters may be grateful for the return of Sean O’Brien to his rampaging best.

For now, though, the fitness of Ireland’s first choice open side flanker caused gnashing of teeth for those from the southern province who witnessed his comeback for Leinster in their win at Thomond Park on Sunday night.

O’Brien, restored by Leo Cullen to the Leinster side after a worrying inner ear problem known as vestibular impairment that kept him sidelined since mid-November, scooped the Guinness Pro12 man of the match award for his considerable contribution to the side’s 24-7 victory in Limerick.

He showed no signs of ring-rust as he reprised his wrecking-ball role to the delight of the travelling fans, turning over Munster ball at critical times as Leinster spent much of the game on the defensive.

“Well the win was the most important thing, obviously,” O’Brien said after his 99th appearance for Leinster.

“I was happy with a lot of stuff in my game, I’m happy with other bits and pieces, it’s just the overall thing was to come down here and win.

“Blowing hard at times, but felt good otherwise,” he added.

“It was a good performance, we knew it was going to be a tough game.

"We went about our business in a good manner, our discipline was a lot better tonight, a few silly penalties, but the majority of what we were doing in the last couple of weeks was there.”

Head coach Cullen was pleased to have the Tullow Tank back.

The back rower has been sorely missed as the three-time Heineken Cup champions slipped out of Europe with barely a whimper, losing that RDS opener, then going down at Bath before back-to-back defeats by reigning champions Toulon.

The return of O’Brien to stem the tide and get Leinster firing again in the Pro12 at least, was most welcome.

“It’s great,” Cullen said of his former team-mate.

“Even in the last few weeks Seanie’s played a big role in terms of driving the group, we see him as a huge leader for the team and definitely we’ve missed his presence out on the field — it’s a massive thing for us.

“It’s just his experience that he has as well, the presence he has and the respect he has amongst his peers, it’s just fantastic to have him back.”

Leinster cap number 100, following Sean Cronin’s century at Thomond Park on Sunday, should come this Friday when the Blues return to the RDS to face Pro12 second-placed Connacht.

Given his prominence in the move that led to Isa Nacewa’s opening try against Munster, we could be seeing O’Brien in wider channels more regularly.

“I might play a few games at centre, yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Sometimes you find yourself there and you’ve got backs in front of you and you can either run at them or use your hands. Garry [Ringrose] was there, the space was there and he took off, it’s a simple enough one for me.”