Tommy O'Brien not taking the big days with Leinster for granted

Michael Bolton

It was not too long ago that Tommy O'Brien would be watching a Champions Cup semi-final involving Leinster in the stands.

Through injury or form, the biggest days of the season did not include the winger. These days, however, he is one of the first names on the team sheet, for province and country.

In one of the biggest success stories in Irish rugby in the last two seasons, O'Brien has played his way into Leinster and Ireland's starting 15.

After a difficult few years with injuries, rugby fans are now seeing what O'Brien is truly capable of, as he expressed his relief to come out of the other side of some difficult times.

"It is why you play the games, for these kinds of days.

"To get to the stage where I am playing in those big days, it is something I do not take for granted.

"I think it is down to a bit more maturity, knowing my body and backing myself. I used to get quite nervous.

"Maybe a bit more comfort in my own skin, and having the ability to say I am going to try things and back my skills. I would have been scared to make mistakes; now I am more willing to express myself."

Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final against French side Toulon comes at a time when questions are asked of the province.

Preparation was far from ideal, with a 29-26 loss away to Benetton meaning they still have work to do in the URC.

In Europe, the semi-final defeat to Northampton last season is not forgotten, in what was an opportunity missed for Leo Cullen's side.

Since last winning the competition in 2018, Leinster have lost four finals, including three in a row between 2022 and 2024, but O'Brien insists the past will not impact this Leinster side.

"We talked about last year and the disappointment of the semi-final. We would have loved another crack at that semi-final, and we had to wait a year to get here.

"We are in that position that we all would have done anything to get a crack out of.

"There are always people coming in and out, so each season is its own thing. We know what has gone on in the past, and there are people who have been involved in past defeats, but we are every bit as focused on this journey, and we have done as a group this year."