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Sean O'Brien not giving up hope on an Ireland recall

Sean O'Brien is still hoping to force his way into Ireland coach Andy Farrell's plans and feels h...



Sean O'Brien is still hoping to force his way into Ireland coach Andy Farrell's plans and feels he's now in his best physical condition in three years. 

"The Tullow Tank" swapped Leinster for London Irish at the end of last season and made his return from injury for the Exiles just before rugby went into shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It came at a really bad time for me because I'd only played one game, but it's going to be good for me now," the Lions flanker told the McSport My Motivation series.

"Looking back now it's been brilliant for my body, I don't think I've ever been as fit as I am right now.

"I did some running tests two weeks ago and haven't had scores like it since 2017. So it's given me a chance to get a lot of work through my body and into a really good place if things do kick off quickly.

"It's an opportunity to get yourself into the best shape of your life or sit on your arse all day and not do much, so I'm definitely not going to do that, anyway.

O'Brien added that he thinks rugby will be one of the last sports to resume in the UK:

"There is a lot of contact in rugby, we’re on top of each other and in each others’ faces. We’re in close proximity at all times.

"I do know from certain lads in the Premiership, from talking to certain people they do have parents living with them or big families and all that has to be taken into account when we go back into the rugby environment.

"Obviously, we all want to go back playing rugby in a safe and manageable way for us all. It's a difficult one, I think it will be the last one to go back for sure, maybe not training but definitely playing games."

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