Six Nations: ‘Calling a spade a spade’ – Ireland’s next series ‘A long way away’ says Sean O’Brien

Recalling his own days representing an Ireland XV, a team then called the Ireland Wolfhounds, O’Brien recalls a surprising realization regarding the physicality required at the top level.

“We’ve all been there at some point. I remember saying to myself after those games, ‘You have to be so physical.’ That’s the big thing you get out of those games.”

“You get run over, you get beaten up, you get thrown around and you say, ‘I’m not there yet.’ That’s the truth of the matter.

“There’s no sense in saying anything else. In international rugby, you need collision winners, people who are physical. You can be a smart, good player, but you need physicality and momentum.”

O’Brien believes there is one exception to Friday’s defeat, adding that Ulster back row Bryn Ward could “go there straight away” and contribute to Farrell.

The 21-year-old was part of the first group of their Six Nations pre-camp in Portugal before featuring in Ireland’s XV in Limerick and then rejoining the full squad to prepare for this weekend’s clash.

O’Brien added: “Bryn Ward was very good. He’s a strong, physical guy, and I like what he does.”

“I think he can get there right away.”