Dragons boosted by Angus O'Brien for Lions clash in URC (original) (raw)

FULL-BACK Angus O’Brien is poised to give the Dragons a fitness boost for Sunday’s United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Rodney Parade.

The influential back came off in the 46th minute of the last-gasp defeat to the Sharks in Newport on Saturday.

O’Brien went down after a shuddering collision with opposite number Jordan Hendrikse and boss Dai Flanagan initially said immediately after the game that the 30-year-old had failed a head injury assessment.

However, the head coach jumped the gun and the full-back was actually removed from play by the medics because of whiplash.

“Angus is fine, it was a bit of whiplash and a problem around his neck,” said Flanagan. “He has passed all his HIA tests, he just couldn’t get back on the field.

“We are really pleased that he is fine because post-match I didn’t have clarity and was concerned after he couldn’t return.

“Angus is back, running around and will stay off the contact. As long as he comes through training he will be fine for Sunday.”

BOOST: Angus O'Brien is training ahead of the Dragons' game with the Lions (Image: Geraint Nicholas/Huw Evans Agency)

Flanagan has made no secret of his policy of not taking risks after head injuries and the head coach has previously kept players out of the firing line even when they have been cleared to return.

That was the case for O’Brien in 2022/23 when a pair of quickfire concussions against the Stormers and Scarlets led to him sitting out a batch of fixtures.

The full-back was limited to just four appearances last season after breaking his arm twice but has shown his importance to the Dragons at the start of the current campaign.

The side to face the Lions is named on Friday and Flanagan has some welcome selection headaches.

Tighthead Leon Brown is back in the mix after being a late withdrawal against the Sharks because of illness.

Influential flanker Harri Keddie has returned to training after a back spasm while lock Steve Cummins is close to a comeback from a broken hand, although the Lions game might be too soon.

The South Africans head to Rodney Parade in high spirits after hammering Edinburgh 55-21 last weekend, when they were 48-0 up at half-time.