Sean O’Brien return a major positive after Sexton and McGrath injury updates

Patrick McCarry

One hopes the latest comeback is his last in a long stretch.

Sean O’Brien is back training, and in full training too.

The Carlow native has been out of action since breaking his arm against Argentina in November. Two months on and he is back in the selection mix for Leinster ahead of a game they need to win to secure a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup.

O’Brien, it was confirmed by Leinster forwards coach John Fogarty, is back in full training and in consideration for a back row slot for the away trip against Wasps. Also back in contention are Dan Leavy, Robbie Henshaw and Devin Toner.

The news is not as positive for the half-back line. Luke McGrath has been ruled out for up to eight weeks and is set to miss the entire Six Nations. More importantly, for Leinster that is, he is out of the Wasps game and the upcoming Guinness PRO14 fixtures.

Belvedere College alumni Hugh O’Sullivan is in line to start on the bench, this Sunday, behind Kiwi scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park. Paddy Patterson is set to be registered for Leinster’s Champions Cup squad too, with Munster-bound Nick McCarthy de-registered, so he is another option at scrum-half.

Ross Byrne will start in the 10 jersey again with Ciarán Frawley set to deputise, as he did against Toulouse last weekend. Gibson-Park starting means Leinster will now have to choose from either Scott Fardy or James Lowe in their matchday squad.

The return of second and back row options gives Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster the chance to freshen up his pack for a game against Wasps, who today confirmed Nathan Hughes and Willie Le Roux would be leaving in the summer.

POTENTIAL LEINSTER XV

Cian Healy
Sean Cronin
Tadhg Furlong

Devin Toner
James Ryan

Dan Leavy
Josh van der Flier
Jack Conan

Jamison Gibson Park
Ross Byrne

Dave Kearney
Robbie Henshaw
Garry Ringrose
Adam Byrne

Rob Kearney