Seán O’Brien’s fearless approach captures new attitude towards Paris

Seán O’Brien stares blankly back at us when asked about being intimidated in Paris.

“I don’t think it is intimidating. There is a lot of history. The crowd . . . it’s a good place to play, even from our point of view, but I don’t think it is an intimidating place to play. There is not a fear factor there in terms of going to play in that ground. Don’t think we can have a fear factor going over there. We have to go over there knowing we have to perform.

“Irish teams maybe in the past accepted that we were going over to Paris to minimise the score. Just try to do themselves justice rather than going out to win the game.

“That’s a long time ago now. It’s a different time now.”

Last time Johnny Sexton and O'Brien started together for Ireland was against France in Cardiff on October 11th. For that all too brief a moment, anything seemed possible.

“If you have aspirations of winning this tournament, you have to win in France,” O’Brien stated with clarity. “It’s that simple. Well, that’s the way I’m thinking about it anyway. I’m sure most of the lads have the same mindset. You lose over there and you are up against it for the rest of the tournament.”

O'Brien shrugs when asked about hitting a grabby Pascal Pape in the stomach, a blow which according to the testimony of French doctor Dr Jean-Baptiste Grisoli created "ongoing disabilities" that miraculously cleared up within that same week at last year's World Cup.

Suspended

O’Brien was suspended, Sexton was unfit to play and the rest is already written. “Yeah, certainly, discipline is going to massive,” laughed the fit-again Carlow farmer when the ‘temper, temper’ mantra is mentioned.

Pape knew exactly what he was doing last October and while France gained no value from it, Argentina certainly did. O’Brien had previous in this regard from that European quarter-final victory over Toulouse in 2012 at the Aviva Stadium. Yannick Nyanga got a belt in the face for holding O’Brien just long enough for Louis Picamoles to dive over the try line.

No Pape, Nyanga or Picamoles this time but as sure as Sexton will be targeted, O’Brien’s temperament will be probed.

“I don’t think I was hard done by. It was something that shouldn’t have happened, but that’s the way it was.

“Moving on . . .”

Stander and O’Brien flanking Jamie Heaslip has the look of an Ireland backrow not seen since Stephen Ferris had full use of his joints. He warms up when asked about finally packing down with Munster’s South African muscle. “Takes some pressure off me a little bit in carrying,” went the 28-year-old, again, smiling dangerously. “I’m looking forward to playing with him.”

So is everyone else.

France might target O'Brien then, like they will pinball Stade Francais centre Jonathan Danty at Sexton.

“Danty, I’ve played against him a few times and he is pretty similar in stature to [Mathieu] Bastareaud,” said Sexton. “A lot of ball-playing capabilities to add to that, and speed too.”

Neck damage

The outhalf also addressed the neck damage that forced him off after levelling matters at 16-all against Wales.

“I’m okay now. I just got a bang on top of the head, compressed my neck a bit. It’s been sore for the last few days but I feel okay now. Fit to go.”

O’Brien and Sexton – two names that makes any journey to Paris not seem so intimidating.