O’Brien relishing clash with “physical” Welsh

O’Brien’s hard running and defensive ability in recent seasons has ensured that she’s been a key part of Ireland’s success, from the Grand Slam in 2013 to a semi-final spot at the World Cup last summer.

Starting her Ireland career in 2011, O’Brien had to be patient with the ever present Joy Neville then almost a permanent fixture in the number 8 shirt, but her versatility at both lock and across the backrow paid dividends and she is certainly now one of the first names on the Irish team sheets.

She says she’s always looking to improve within the Irish back row unit.

“Over the years Paula (Fitzpatrick) and myself have both had time in the number 8 shirt and we’ve both enjoyed that and as a unit we always want to get better whatever number we have on. When I came into the squad Joy (Neville) was certainly nearly a permanent fixture there and brought so much to it. When I first started at number 8 I had to keep reminding myself to play my own game and to stop trying to replicate what she brought. It took me some time to settle into that and you learn every game.”

Given her luck against Wales down through the years, O’Brien is hoping for a smooth run this weekend as she explains:

“Well over the years against Wales it has been mixed bag for me including the game being called off at half time due to a rapidly freezing pitch,  another where I came off the bench with about 15 minutes to go only to get sin binned – I was distraught – and another I got stitches in. Hopefully this will be a better weekend than those!”

Ireland bounced back admirably from the loss to France with a win over England, and with the French also beating Wales, neither side can afford a slip-up this weekend. She has a huge respect for Wales and for their back row.

“Wales had great start to the campaign in beating England and it was brilliant to see how much that win meant to them. They were dogged and their line speed put England under so much pressure and that ultimately won then the game. Wales are one of the most physical sides I've played.”

“For them, their captain Rachel Taylor does a Trojan amount of work for them and Shona Powell-Hughes looks to be relishing her time at number 8 so we are going to have our hands full with them. Our last few competitive encounters have been so close and Wales is always a tough place to travel to and I suspect this will be no different.”

Ireland have plenty to improve on too after what O’Brien calls a “workman” like performance over Italy and some inconsistencies against England after the loss to France.

“We have to be more consistent definitely. In the English game we went from turning over a scrum on our 5m line to conceding a score from a similar position moments later.”

“France had us under pressure for the first half with most of the possession and territory but our defence held out. We got off the hook with some penalties, so you could say lucky to be level at half time. We started the second half well, then against the run of play at that stage in the game they scored under the posts. We created chances but didn't convert them.”

“As a pack our accuracy was probably better against France but our backs were starting to click against the English. I feel we haven't seen their full potential yet so that's an exciting prospect as they improve each game.”

She admits that while Ireland can keep the pressure on France with a win, they are obviously clear favourites to take the title.

“It's France’s to lose but they have to play a game in Twickenham against England and that could be a cracker. It’s a very tough place to travel to.”

With over 20 caps to her name, O’Brien is enjoying the here and now and isn’t looking too far into the future, though she has high hopes the core of this Ireland squad will be together until the 2017 World Cup.

“You'd have aims each game but this has been a long season with only short breaks pre and post-World Cup so the focus is purely on the Six Nations right now. After a few exits after the World Cup most of the squad now are there until 2017 if we can manage that.”

She also has hopes that the Irish domestic game will continue to progress.

“I'd love to see our club game continue to grow maybe even with the introduction of playoff games between club sides from England, Wales, France and so on.  That would be a brilliant addition to the club season. I am sure there is a sponsor out there who would be interested in that!”

“Ideally of course we would also want to be playing more games as a national team – the autumn internationals work well for other countries and you can see the benefit of the English and French strong U20 set ups