ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Friday Apr 8, 2022

British and Irish Lions Superstar to retire at the end of the season

After an incredible 14 year career, former Irish international Sean O’Brien has announced that he will be retiring from the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

The powerful backrower played the majority of his professional life for European titans Leinster. Here he was able to help them reach the 2009 Heineken Cup final as well as spearheading them to wins in both the 2011 and the 2012 versions of the competition.

O’Brien was also an important member of the Irish national side with 56 caps to his name, winning his first cap as a substitute against Fiji in 2009.

A powerful player, O’Brien picked up many accolades during his playing career. Named 2010–2011 ERC European Player of the Year and 2011 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland player of the year to name just two.

That stand out year really pushed O’Brien to the forefront of back rowers in world rugby. This enabled him to star in a total of 5 test matches for the British and Irish Lions in their 2013 and 2017 tours. Famously finishing off one of the most incredible Lions tries of all time in their game against the All Blacks in 2017.

O’Brien joined English Premiership outfit London Irish in 2019. Bringing along with him plenty of experience, he was able to help the side through three successful seasons and become a real fan favourite with the Exiles.

Leinster boss Leo Cullen, who played alongside and coached O’Brien, had the following to say:

“He was a fearless competitor and he gave incredible confidence to those around him. Seán also made a huge impact at grassroots level where he has done so much great work in helping grow the game and inspiring so many young players to believe that anything was possible. On behalf of everyone at Leinster Rugby, we would like to wish Seán every success in the future as he takes on new challenges in the next stage of his life.”

A statement released by London Irish reads:

ADVERTISEMENT

“After much deliberation and consultation with my family and friends, I can confirm that I have decided to retire from playing professional rugby at the end of the season. I’ve had an incredible career and I am thankful for every second of my time at Leinster, Ireland, London Irish and the British and Irish Lions.

I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career. At an international level, I feel privileged to have won 56 caps for Ireland. I gave everything I could possibly give, and I will always look back with great pride at every time I pulled on the Irish jersey to represent my country, my county, my friends and family.

There is still a lot of rugby to be played this season before the time comes to hang up my boots, and I am fully focused on giving my all in the London Irish jersey until then. I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be. I am currently taking my time to consider a number of options, and will make an announcement with regards to the next stage of my career very soon.”

Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

View All