Injury set to sideline O’Brien until autumn

Sean O’Brien is set to undergo surgery on the troublesome shoulder and hip injuries which have devastated his season and it is understood that it could be the autumn before he is ready to play rugby again.

The Leinster and Ireland flanker has endured a frustrating campaign, having managed just half-a-dozen appearances for his club and two, last November, for his country. A pair of failed comeback attempts have only added to his frustration.

The Carlow man returned from the hip injury that had ruled him out since December against Scarlets in March, only to suffer a shoulder injury which resurfaced on his most recent runout, at home to Treviso last Saturday.