'Who said I can't drill one of them?' - O'Brien up for England reunion

"Who said I can't drill one of them?" Sean O'Brien replies with a smile when asked if he will set aside his famed abrasive nature when he lines out for the Ireland Legends against England this evening.

The 36-year-old finished his professional career with London Irish in 2022 and made a short-lived comeback for Naas in the AIL last year before suffering a hamstring injury.

That's sidelined him for a while but, now serving as the contact coach for Leinster, the juices are flowing for a return to action.

It's not in the former Ireland, Lions and Leinster flanker's make-up to hold back but discretion may trump valour at Energia Park for the annual clash of the old boys, which raises money for injured player funds in Ireland and the UK.

As for holding back, O'Brien, inspired by what he sees close up at his home province and with the Ireland team, might just change up for the evening, where the Legends will come up against a star-studded English line-up including Matt Banahan, David Strettle and Delon Armitage.

"I'd love to be playing the game that Ireland are playing now, rather than being abrasive," O'Brien tells RTÉ Sport.

"It's so exciting using your hands, the little out balls and tip-ons and stuff like that.

"You won't see me running over anyone in the Legends game, I'll be using my hands more. I could be playing at 12 yet, so we'll see."

On St Patrick's Day we’ll be Dancing with the Stars of the #rugby field once again. Come join us & help raise funds for rugby related charities! Tkts: https://t.co/bcJc53NJQu#IREvENG #LegendsRugby pic.twitter.com/PrXRi7gbWF

Joining O'Brien as for his Legends debut is recently retired Leinster lock Devin Toner, who won three Six Nations titles and four Champions Cups in a trophy-ladden career.

Th