O’Brien a doubt for Six Nations opener

Editor

Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien could miss the start of the Six Nations after having surgery on an injured hip.

The 30-year-old limped off during Leinster’s victory over Exeter Chiefs on December 16 and duly missed the province’s games over Christmas and New Year.

With O’Brien requiring a small operation, the back-rower is a doubt for their opener against France on February 3.

“Sean O’Brien saw a specialist this week for the tightness in his hip as it hadn’t responded to treatment as we would have liked,” Leinster said in a statement.

“As a result he had a small procedure and the target is to have O’Brien back available during the Six Nations window.”

O’Brien is the latest setback for Ireland and Leinster with Garry Ringrose sustaining an ankle injury recently and Adam Byrne needing surgery on a knee issue he sustained in November.

Read more from Planet Sport: Rugby League fan too? Why not join our RL Fantasy League? (Love Rugby League)