Sean O’Brien running out of time for Six Nations return

The chances of Sean O’Brien featuring in the run-in to Ireland’s Six Nations campaign are veering towards slim with confirmation that the Leinster flanker is unavailable for his club’s trip to Llanelli this weekend, writes Brendan O’Brien.

The Carlow man has started running again after his hip problem, and procedure, but he was listed as ‘unavailable for selection’ by Leinster yesterday. He “will look to step up his rehabilitation further this week,” the update read.