Sean O’Brien: I’ve plenty left in the tank

Sean O’Brien has told Leo Cullen he wants to play the full 80 minutes against Connacht this Saturday, after admitting to being ‘p*ssed off’ after he was replaced in France on Sunday afternoon.

The backrow forward was called ashore at half-time in Leinster’s Champions Cup defeat away to Montpellier where he had hoped to play more than 40 minutes mindful of the upcoming November Test against New Zealand in Chicago.

O’Brien played 40 minutes against Richmond in the British & Irish Cup a week earlier, but is desperate to prove to Ireland boss Joe Schmidt he’s close to full fitness ahead of the All Blacks encounter.