Brentford move can attract Ireland ex-pats to London Irish, believes Sean O'Brien

Sean O'Brien believes that London Irish's move to Brentford can spark a resurgence of interest in the club from Irish nationals based in the capital.

O'Brien is one of five Irish players in the Exiles' squad, coached by former Ireland head coach Declan Kidney, and the British and Irish Lions flanker admitted that the club's previous base at the Madejski Stadium outside Reading had made it difficult to maintain a connection with Irish people in London.

London Irish are set to play their remaining home matches of the 2019-20 season at the Twickenham Stoop, following the conclusion of their lease at the Madejski, before groundsharing with Brentford FC from the start of next season.

"There's so many people over here that really want to support us and want to get involved in what we're trying to build. Hopefully we can give them that entertainment they're looking for," O'Brien explained.

"Even going for coffees, lunches around the place - there's always an Irish person around. We're really trying to get that connection back with those ex-pats here and get a bit of a buzz going again with the club. The move back to London will absolutely help with that.

"The Madejski has been good to London Irish over the years, but form what I've seen being over here - being honest - it's very far out for fans. Any of my friends or people I know living in London, it's just that bit far out for them.

"A lot of families, too, my older brother has a load of friends here with families and they've never got to a game because it's just too far for them to go.

"Moving to Brentford and having access to the stadium from all over London is going to be a massive part of it. Irish people will come and support, I know that from being at home. They love their rugby.

"I think there's a lot of people excited about the move back to Brentford. Especially us as players. We're looking forward to seeing big crowds there."

O'Brien made his debut for the club in London Irish's final outing before lockdown, a chastening 0-38 loss to Sale Sharks, having successfully recovered from a career-threatening hip injury.

The 33 year-old is now set to play a key role for Irish when the season resumes, while adding that his hip has responded well in the club's mini pre-season.

"[Sale] was a hugely exciting week after 10 months of doing rehab and coming back from a hip resurfacing. No other rugby player had done it and the thing I had said from the off when I went for the operation was that I’m going to do it," O'Brien added.

"It's not as if I'm going around with a bib on me saying 'lads don't come near me'. There's lads flying into me over here and I'm flying into them, and it's rugby as normal for me."

Touring again with the Lions in South Africa next year remains a goal for O'Brien, having started in all three Test matches against New Zealand in 2017.

"Yeah I'd be dead straight with you, it's something I haven't ruled out," he admitted. "I think it would obviously be a massive honour to be in that position, If I could play well enough for London Irish over the rest of this season and next season.

"There's always that stuff in the back of your head, that little burning sensation, so yeah, that is in there, whether it will happen or not is another question."