British & Irish Lions legend comes out of retirement to play for local club

Friday, 07 October 2022 at 09:50

byRugby Rucker

Leinster coach Sean O'Brien will line out for Naas RFC in the Energia All-Ireland League this season.

The AIL Division 1B side have got themselves a coup, with O'Brien having only retired from playing professional rugby at the end of last season with London Irish in the English Premiership.

RugbyPass

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Huge boost for the All-Ireland League with the legendary Sean O'Brien signing on for some Division 1B action at the age of 35. #EnergiaAIL rugbypass.com/news/sean-obri…

3:37 PM · Oct 6, 2022

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Their new season started with a heavy 37-7 defeat to Old Wesley on Saturday.

O'Brien, now a contact skills coach at his former club Leinster, had hoped to play with his childhood club Tullow RFC, but was denied the opportunity due to regulations barring recent professionals from playing at that even lower level.

O'Brien was a two-time British Lion in 2013 and 2017 and won 56 caps for Ireland.

5 England legends you didn’t know are still playing

A number of veteran England internationals are proving that age is just a number as they continue to play professionally into their late 30s.

#1. Stephen Myler (Ospreys)

Age: 37
Total caps: 1
Last appearance: vs Argentina (June 2013)

The 37-year-old has signed a contract extension to remain with the Welsh region for another season. The once-capped England international joined the region in 2020 from London Irish with his new contract marking his 20th year and his 21st season as a professional rugby player.

BBC ScrumV

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FT: Ospreys 23-19 Edinburgh An exciting second half sees two Ospreys tries and 10 points off the boot of Stephen Myler secure the win 🏉

7:02 PM · Jan 29, 2022

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#2. Phil Vickery (Various)

Age: 46
Total caps:78
Last appearance: vs New Zealand (June 2014)

The World Cup-winning tighthead has played in four or five charity games this season and doesn't appear to have lost a step.

He retired with 73 England caps and five Test appearances for the Lions, three of them against Australia in 2001 and two versus the Springboks in 2009.Advertisement

Although he missed the 2003 Grand Slam campaign through injury, Vickery returned to play a key role in England's World Cup triumph in Australia.

#3. Mike Tindall (Minchinhampton)

Age: 42
Total caps: 75
Last appearance: vs Scotland (October 2010)

England legend and World Cup winner Mike Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home. The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.

#4. Chris Robshaw (San Diego Legion)

The former England captain is still playing with San Diego Legion for the 2022 MLR season. Robshaw’s first season with the team was curtailed by injury, as the flanker dislocated his shoulder twice within the span of his first three games.

#5. Steffon Armitage

Age: 37
Total caps: 5
Last appearance: vs Italy (February 2010)

Rugby Pass have reported that the former England number 8 will depart Biarritz this summer for a stint in the third tier in French rugby.

The Rugby Paper

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Steffon Armitage will never have to pay for a drink in Biarritz again. After their promotion decider against Basque rivals Bayonne was tied at 6-6 after normal time, the match finished on a penalty shootout and saw Armitage strike the winning kick!