O’Brien Returns To Leinster As Contact Skills Coach

Leinster Rugby have confirmed the appointment of former Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions back rower Sean O’Brien as contact skills coach ahead of the start of next season.

O’Brien, who retired from rugby last month having played his last game with London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership, left Leinster at the end of the 2018/19 season.

The 35-year-old left his native province as one of their most decorated players, having come through the Leinster Academy system and having played 126 times for Leinster since his debut in September 2008 against Cardiff Blues.

Commenting on O’Brien’s appointment, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “It is great to be able to welcome Sean back home to Leinster. At his best, he was virtually unplayable and was an amazing contributor to Leinster, Ireland and the Lions.

“In a Leinster shirt, he played a key role in some of our greatest days on the European stage and we hope he can pass on some of his vast experience and winning mentality to our current squad.

“I know that Sean has always been a keen student of the game and has been heavily involved with coaching in Tullow RFC, going back to his early playing days.

“We believe he has a very bright future in coaching and I think it’s a win-win for both sides to have him back here. He has always been a brilliant presence in the Leinster changing room and I think our group will be excited and energised by having him back involved.”

In O’Brien’s time at Leinster, he was part of the PRO12/14 winning squads in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019, famously lifting the trophy in Celtic Park.

He has four Heineken Champions Cup medals, starting in the Heineken Cup finals in 2011 and 2012, and also a European Challenge Cup medal from 2013.

Off the back of these impressive performances in the blue of Leinster, he was named European Player of the Year in 2011.

The Carlow man spoke to leinsterrugby.ie about his appointment, saying: “I always said that you’d never know what the future holds and I’ve taken my time to work out what’s next for me.

“While I have loved my time with London Irish and living in London, the time is right to move back home and this is a brilliant opportunity now to get back and to get back to work with Leinster Rugby.

“I’d like to thank Leo for the opportunity and it’s an exciting one. Building on the great work of Hugh Hogan and most recently Denis Leamy, I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“Working with players that I already know but there is also some real talent coming through and to be having my first coaching opportunity back home at Leinster, is pretty special.

“They’ve got a busy week ahead of them with Glasgow to come on Saturday and I’ll be a very keen supporter watching them to the end of the season.”

The 35-year-old made his Ireland debut at the RDS in November 2009 against Fiji and won 54 Ireland caps, scoring six tries in total.

He was a member of the Ireland 2015 Six Nations title-winning squad and was on two tours with the British & Irish Lions, making five Test appearances.

This will be his first coaching appointment having retired from professional rugby just two weeks ago, following three seasons at London Irish.