O’Brien, the Ireland and Lions flanker who joined London Irish in 2019 after spending 11 years at Leinster, said his preconceptions about the Premiership were quickly shattered and that it was a tournament which quickly turned boys into men.
“I did not realise how tough this league was,” said the 34-year-old O’Brien, who has one year left on his contract with Irish. “I was in the PRO14 bubble for a long time and would only come across a few English teams.
“Being here, you appreciate it is very different; everyone has big packs and backs and the physicality is huge.
“You can have easier games in the PRO14, but in the Premiership anyone can beat anyone in a given week. The standard of rugby and the brand some are playing makes it hugely exciting. I have a new-found respect for how good and tough it is. It has been an eye-opener for me and a learning curve.”
O’Brien knew when he made the move to Irish that his international career, which saw him win 56 caps for Ireland and five for the Lions, was all but over because exiles are very rarely considered for selection.
But he feels the Premiership would help develop players more quickly than if they remained in the PRO14.
“There is a case for young Ireland players to come here, forwards especially,” he said. “Playing in the Premiership, and even the Championship, would harden them up. They grow into a man very quickly over here. It would be good for their development and it is something that could be looked at down the line.
This story is from the June 13, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 13, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England were good, but a bit complacent
WATCHING the France versus England game last Saturday night, I couldn’t help but think that a little complacency had found its way into the England team after their surprise win against Ireland.
Hurricanes fly high as Crusaders flop again
JORDIE Barrett bagged two tries as the Hurricanes thumped the Melbourne Rebels 54-28 to maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of the table.
Millfield end long wait as they take 14th title
MILLFIELD ended their decade-long wait to win a 14th Cup title at Rosslyn Park as they defeated reigning Champions Harrow 28-17 in a thrilling final.
Turner leads Crusaders to hardest of triumphs
DINGS and Exeter University were involved in a try-fest that could have gone either way.
Having strength in numbers is proving big Barnes bonus
BARNES have used an incredible 51 players this season, and head coach Jack Heald puts his side’s success down to their squad depth which derives from a second team that continuously punches above their weight.
Cooper stars as Bury end poor run
RELIEVED Bury St Edmunds ended a run of seven defeats by grinding out a win against an emerging opponent.
Lewis full of pride for his Titans in bid for promotion
LOSING just one game all season would usually be more than enough to finish first, but Rotherham Titans can count themselves unfortunate to be in the same division as Leeds Tykes.
Okafor at the death has Tykes stunned!
ROTHERHAM Titans threw the promotion race wide open by inflicting a first defeat of the season on Leeds Tykes in a tense Yorkshire derby yesterday afternoon.
Warren seals Tigers' league status in thriller
A WIN at long last for Sedgley Park Tigers who hosted Cinderford at Park Lane yesterday and came away with a well-earned win for the first time in 2024 to secure their place in National 1 for next season.
The whistleblowers under the spotlight
Matthew Luddington talks to two referees at the lower end of the game about the trials of taking charge of a match