We must mind our young stars like Garry Ringrose, says Sean O’Brien

Sean O’Brien insists Ireland coach Joe Schmidt would have taken a “huge risk” had he selected Leinster prodigy Garry Ringrose during the Six Nations.

Before the Six Nations, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll suggested that Ringrose could provide an attacking spark to the national team, but O’Brien, the player’s provincial team-mate, argued that the 21-year-old would struggle to compete physically at that level.

“He [Schmidt] is trying to develop him and mind his body. It’s different for someone who’s had a bit of experience, had a year under his belt. If Garry goes in next year into the Six Nations, we’ll see a different Garry in terms of his physicality, in terms of his smartness,” O’Brien said at a competition launch for the Samsung S7.