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Rugby

09th Mar 2018

You have to feel for Sean O’Brien after his comeback ended in devastating circumstances

Not the return anyone wanted to see

Ben Kiely

Sean O'Brien

Sean O’Brien’s return from injury most certainly did not go to plan.

For Leinster’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Scarlets, the returning Sean O’Brien was handed the captain’s armband.

The ‘Tullow Tank’ had been sorely missed by his province and his country after he suffered a hip injury late last year. After three months of rehab and recovery, which included going under the knife, O’Brien made his return in the Blue jersey. He had not played for his province since their Champions Cup victory against Exeter in December.

Just 26 minutes into the game, he was taken off. Max Deegan came on in his place.

The sight of O’Brien heading off holding his arm was a worrying one for fans and Joe Schmidt. Had his return gone well, O’Brien was in with a chance of playing some part in the potential Six Nations decider against England on St Patrick’s Day.

Unfortunately, the shoulder injury that ended his night early has folks fearing his season may be over.