Sean O’Brien injury doubt for England clash

European Player of the Year Sean O’Brien has emerged as a major doubt for Ireland’s final World Cup warm-up match against England on Saturday.

While there is no confirmation as yet, speculation on Thursday morning suggests the Leinster flanker picked up a knee injury in training this week and is almost certain to miss Saturday’s game at the Aviva Stadium.

He is also described as a doubt for the World Cup opener against the USA on 11 September in New Zealand.

Any serious injury to O’Brien would be a massive blow to Ireland’s hopes of making an impression at the World Cup, given his hugely impressive breakthrough season as part of Leinster’s Heineken Cup winning side last year and his ability to do things like this (against France last Saturday):

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney will name his line-up for the England match at lunchtime today, with O’Brien’s place on the blind side of the scrum likely to go to Ulster’s Stephen Ferris, himself only just back in action from a six-month injury lay-off.

David Wallace is set to make his first appearance of the warm-up matches in the back row.