O'Brien a timely deputy for Leinster in Keenan's absence

ABLE DEPUTY: Jimmy O'Brien of Leinster receives a pass from Sam Prendergast during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Ulster. Pic: Ramsey Cardy, Sportsfile

Of all the times and places a head coach might choose to be without his world-class full-back then Loftus Versfeld, at altitude, and against a side likely to pepper the back field with kicks has to be right up there with the last of them.

Hugo Keenan’s absence for the back end of this club season was always going to leave a hole but it is slightly less of a headache now that Jimmy O’Brien is back fit and primed to wear the No.15 jersey again when the province faces the Bulls in Saturday’s URC semi-final.