As a former Ireland superstar now guiding a new generation of English rugby talent at London Irish, Sean O’Brien is more than qualified to have his say on Saturday’s crunch Six Nations battle.
O’Brien does not disappoint with his views. ‘England should look to copy the Irish system,’ says the now 35-year-old. ‘I do think they could help themselves by centrally contracting players – maybe two or three from each club – especially with the salary cap coming down.
‘England are still a little bit lost in terms of the way they want to play. Is it expansive? Is it direct? Ireland are playing a nice brand of rugby and will be coming over fully wanting to go after England this weekend. I suspect it won’t be a great day at the office for England.’
Sean O’Brien is now guiding a new generation of English rugby talent at London Irish
And what of Irish, the Gallagher Premiership dark horses now fifth in the pile and mounting a play-off charge no-one saw coming? ‘This could be a mega, mega club and could be the best in the Premiership,’ O’Brien adds.
It has been a little under three years since O’Brien last played Test rugby. Injuries more than played their part in the end of his international career, but he is still producing the goods with Irish.
‘Watching international matches recently has made me realise I am not at that level anymore,’ says O’Brien. ‘With the intensity and physicality of Test rugby now I might be good for 15 or 20 minutes!
‘But that ship has long since sailed. I’m content sitting on the couch watching Ireland with a beer.’
O’Brien won three of his seven meetings with England. After more than a decade of trophy-laden success with Leinster and Ireland, he has now found himself a new home with Irish where he is working with England hopefuls Ollie Hassell-Collins, Tom Pearson and Will Goodrick-Clarke. All three have been members of Eddie Jones’ 2022 Six Nations squad.
‘The system in Ireland is good and they take good care of you, but there are other opportunities out there. Playing in England has opened my eyes to that,’ O’Brien says.
‘I think Irish players coming through should come over and experience the Premiership and a club like London Irish. It’s a tough league, a great place to live, and a great experience.
He is still playing for London Irish, who are sat fifth in the Gallagher Premiership this season
‘When I was 20, I was very locked on to just staying in Ireland. If I was to go back now, I wouldn’t be.
‘Having central control of the provinces definitely helps the Irish system. Centrally contracting England players would free up a lot of finance for the Premiership clubs.
‘I don’t know if it would ever happen because of the relationship between the RFU and the clubs, but it would keep England’s best players in England and help them dictate how many games their best players play.’
Ireland will arrive at Twickenham this weekend as the biggest challenge for Jones’ side this year so far.
Since taking over from Joe Schmidt following the 2019 World Cup, former England assistant Andy Farrell has not only guided the men in green to a famous win over New Zealand, but also evolved his team’s attacking game. It will take a near-perfect performance from Jones’ side to beat them.
‘Ireland are playing a better brand of rugby than they’ve ever played,’ says O’Brien, who worked with Farrell when he was Schmidt’s Ireland assistant and with the British & Irish Lions in both 2013 and 2017.
‘It’s a Leinster-style of rugby, but with an offloading game. They have options everywhere.
‘Hopefully by the time the next World Cup comes around they’ll be in a really good place because that’s the stumbling block Ireland have come across in the last few years. I think that’s the trick.
On the same day his countrymen face the English, O’Brien will be in Premiership action
‘If Ireland were to stay as they are now right up until the next World Cup, they’ll probably be in trouble again. It’s about coming to a World Cup with something teams haven’t seen before. At previous World Cups, teams had us figured out when we got there and we didn’t have other options.
‘Andy is a great motivator and driver of standards. He’s a fun guy. By all accounts the environment is a lot better now and more enjoyable. There is less pressure for the players.
‘Joe was a great coach, but he put a lot of pressure on people. When you’d go into camp, you’d nearly be half afraid of not knowing your detail.’
So, would Farrell be a good choice as successor to Jones as England boss? The Australian is expected to leave at the end of next year’s World Cup in France. ‘Yes, I think so,’ O’Brien says.
‘It’s very hard to coach at international level and Andy is doing a great job. It could suit him down the line when he’s finished with Ireland.’
With Farrell at the helm, Ireland no longer look constrained by Schmidt’s straitjacket. They seem rejuvenated by the licence Farrell has given them to play and they pushed Grand Slam-chasing France hard in Paris.
England must win this weekend to keep their hopes of beating Les Bleus to the tile on the final weekend alive. O’Brien only sees one result and predicts a nine-point Ireland win.
On the same day his countrymen will do battle with the English, O’Brien will be in Premiership action for Irish at leaders Leicester.
It has been a little under three years since O’Brien last played Test rugby having represented Ireland and the Lions
He is a key figure for a side guided by former Ireland Grand Slam-winning coach Declan Kidney and has embraced life in England by coaching at Rosslyn Park. In his spare time, O’Brien – who comes from farming stock in Ireland – loves to shoot.
‘With the calibre that’s in our squad, a lot of the lads expect to be winning. Everyone is enjoying it and we play a nice brand of rugby at Irish. We’ve improved immensely,’ O’Brien says.
‘It’s probably taken three years to get to where we are now, but by no means are we the finished article. The way some of our individuals have been playing, they have deserved England calls.
‘I genuinely don’t know how long I’ve got left. I still feel fit and feel I’ve got a lot to offer.
‘If the younger players want to work on different things, then I’m more than happy to do that. I’m also more than happy to give them a bollocking or tell them something wasn’t good enough.
‘It’s nothing personal, but drives the environment and individual to get better. ‘We’ll see how my body is at the end of the season. If Deccie wants to give me a new five-year contract next week then we’ll take it from there!’
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