O'Brien: We can mix it with the best

Sean O’Brien refuses to blame Ireland’s injury crisis on their willingness to stand toe to toe with opponents as their RBS 6 Nations nears a bone-crunching conclusion against Italy.

From the opening match of the championship, the Irish have been forced to contend with an ever-growing number of casualties that robbed them of six key personnel for Saturday’s 13-13 draw with France alone.