Better than ever.

Sean O’Brien says he’s in the best shape of his life ahead of the 2018/19 season after a injury ridden few months.

The Ireland and Leinster back-row damaged his hip last Christmas resulting in minor surgery, before an unsuccessful comeback towards the end of the season was thwarted by a shoulder problem.

In that time O’Brien missed out on lifting a Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland, as well as Champions Cup and PRO14 wins with Ireland, allowing Dan Leavy to firmly take hold of the seven jersey for club and country.

But O’Brien will be back this season – and he’s planning on being at his very bestt.

“(I’m) Probably in better shape than I have been in my life,” O’Brien said at the announcement of Leinster’s new innovation partnership with BearingPoint

“So I should be in the best place I have ever been in my career when I come back.”

 “I’ll be flying. I’m probably stronger in every asset.”

[Irish Times]