Sean O'Brien back 'in full contact' training

London Irish backrow Sean O'Brien is back in 'full contact' training following a hip injury that has meant he is yet to feature for his new club.

Last May his former Leinster revealed that the flanker would undergo surgery on a hip injury.

The injury ruled O'Brien out of the Rugby World Cup in Japan and has to date ruled out a Premiership debut.

London Irish were reported to have signed the veteran forward on £450,000 per season, and are understandably eager to see him back out on the paddock.

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London Irish head coach Les Kiss told RugbyPass' Chris Jones that: “Sean (O'Brien) is coming along and has done some full-on contact work and hopefully over the next month we should get some clarity about the timeline.

"He is getting closer."

The latter part of the Carlow native's career has been riddled with injury and there were real fears that he would be forced to retire from the game, a move which is now looking less likely.

The 33-year-old was one of Leinster’s most decorated players, having come through the Leinster Academy system and having played 122 times for Leinster since his debut in September 2008 against the Cardiff Blues.

In his time at Leinster he was part of the PRO12 winning squads in 2008, 2013 and 2014 as well as the Guinness PRO14 win last season.

He has four Heineken Champions Cup medals, starting in the Heineken Cup Finals of 2011 and 2012, and also a Challenge Cup medal in 2013.

Off the back of these impressive performances in the blue of Leinster, he was named European Player of the Year in 2011.

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