Lancaster certain Kidney will manage O’Brien wisely at London Irish

Stuart Lancaster believes Declan Kidney and London Irish will manage their investment wisely by taking into account Sean O’Brien’s injury profile and the attritional nature of life in the Gallagher Premiership when the flanker joins the club next season.

There were no details of contract duration or worth when the switch was announced yesterday but, with unconfirmed talk of a three-year deal worth £450,000 (€500,000) per annum, it represents a big call by the club, given the volume of games the player has sat out for club and country in recent times.