Versatile Jimmy O'Brien hoping to fit in Farrell plans

Jimmy O'Brien hopes his back line versatility puts him in the mix for further call-ups to the Ireland squad.

The Leinster player, who notched a Champions Cup hat-trick against Bath in January, was added to Andy Farrell’s panel before last weekend’s game against Italy and pitted against the likes of James Lowe, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway, Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen.

With Farrell on record has saying he doesn’t want 'tidy’ wingers, O’Brien believes his experience across the back line will enable him to fit into the boss’s plans.

"I do play like that a little bit because wing would probably be my third position now," he said ahead of the URC champions trip to Benetton Treviso on Saturday (12.55pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

"On the depth chart, it’s probably 15, 13 then wing is the one I’ve played the least.

"I kind of do end up coming off my wing and trying to play like that.

"I’ve talked to Felipe [Contepomi, Leinster backs coach] about it and he said just play how you normally play, you are not boxed in to being a winger.

"I was trying to look at wingers and do what they do but it doesn’t come too naturally to me.

"Hopefully that suits how they play in Ireland.

"Let’s say I’m playing on the wing, and Hugo [Keenan’s] playing full-back, I kind of know where he’d be thinking I should be because if I was full-back I’d know where I want my winger to be.

"It definitely helps playing multiple positions. Again, if I’m on the wing I know where the 13 wants me ‘cos I’ve played there so much."

Last week’s call-up was the 25-year-old's first official time to join the squad and the Kildare man, who has made 42 appearances for the four-time European champions since making his debut in 2018.

"It was great, I was so excited to go in,"