Seán O'Brien (rugby union, born 1987)

Seán O'Brien
O'Brien playing for Ireland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Birth nameSeán Kevin O'Brien
Date of birth (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987
Place of birthCarlow, Ireland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight108 kg (17.0 st; 238 lb)
SchoolTullow Community School
UniversityUniversity College Dublin
Griffith College Dublin
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Youth career
Tullow
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
UCD ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2019 Leinster 126 (100)
2019–2022 London Irish 28 (0)
Correct as of 16 March 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006 Ireland U21 8
2007 Ireland U20 2 (0)
2009–2015 Ireland Wolfhounds 5
2009–2019 Ireland 56 (30)
2013, 2017 British & Irish Lions 5 (5)
Correct as of 16 March 2019

Seán Kevin O'Brien (born 14 February 1987) is an Irish retired professional rugby union player. He previously represented home province Leinster for eleven seasons. At Leinster, he helped the team win four European titles, and was named ERC European Player of the Year for the 2010–11 season, he then played three seasons for English Premiership Rugby side London Irish.

Internationally, he played for Ireland for ten years, and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017. O'Brien could play across the back-row, though he primarily played as an openside flanker. He announced his retirement from rugby in 2022.