Ireland and Leinster utility man Jimmy O'Brien has been ruled out of the 2024 Six Nations, dealing another hammer blow to Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell's plans to retain their 2023 crown.
The news was confirmed on Leinster's website today. "Jimmy O’Brien has picked up a neck injury and will be unavailable for a number of months," said the province.
The Kildare native has played eight times for his country and was expected to become a more integral member of the Ireland squad in 2024.
However, O'Brien's last game was in the Investec Champions Cup win over Sale on December 16.
This comes hours after Ireland and Connacht star Mack Hansen was also ruled out of the spring tournament. The Ireland star dislocated his shoulder against Munster. He will now undergo surgery today.
The news was confirmed on Connacht's website, stating that "Hansen is expected to be unavailable for 3–4 months."
Hansen, 25, has won 21 Irish caps since making his debut. Last year, the rugby maverick scored three tries in Ireland's five games in the Six Nations as Ireland won their first-ever home Grand Slam.
🏉 | Jimmy O'Brien to miss a number of months with a neck injury
Injury Report 👉 https://t.co/PZENuVF4sy#FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/OUxsfIMswG
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 8, 2024
Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour, Calvin Nash and Robert Baloucoune are among those who could come into Six Nations contention now.
Speaking about his star's injury, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said, "It's disappointing for us to lose Mack for such a period of time. Obviously, there’ll be a knock-on effect on the Irish campaign in the Six Nations and, most of all, disappointment for Mack. He was starting to find some form and rhythm, having been a little bit of a stop-start since the World Cup."
The 2024 Six Nations Championship is set to commence on Friday, February 2. Andy Farrell's Ireland heads to France to face Les Bleus. This game kicks off at 8 p.m. Irish time. Details about the venue are pending, as Stade de France is unavailable due to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ireland will then play consecutive home matches at Aviva Stadium in Rounds 2 and 3. Italy will visit Dublin on Sunday, February 11, which kicks off at 3 p.m., followed by a Wales clash on Saturday, February 24, which kicks off at 2.15 p.m.
In Round 4, Ireland will head to Twickenham to take on England on Saturday, March 9 (this kicks off at 4.45 p.m.). The Championship finale will see Ireland host Scotland at Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday, March 16 (this kicks off at 4.45 p.m.).
Ireland Six Nations campaign
- February 2: Ireland vs. France (8 p.m. Irish time, venue pending)
- February 11: Ireland vs. Italy at Aviva Stadium (3 p.m.)
- February 24: Ireland vs. Wales at Aviva Stadium (2.15 p.m.)
- March 9: England vs. Ireland at Twickenham (4.45 p.m.)
- March 16: Ireland vs. Scotland at Aviva Stadium (4.45 p.m.)
