Haskell singles out Irish pair as ones to watch against New Zealand

Prior to Warren Gatland’s squad announcement, both Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien must have been worried about their place in the squad. Both have struggled with injuries over the past few years and despite their undoubted class, there were question marks over their places.

To be fair, Gatland took his chance with the pair and now both these men are in the driving seat for back-row starting berths against the All-Blacks this Saturday.

Their form on tour to date has been really impressive and with Warburton struggling with both fitness and form, O’Mahony is tipped by many to be the man to lead the Lions out this Saturday.

As a flanker, James Haskell knows what it is like to come up against the Irish duo and he has warned the New Zealand players they should be fearing the pair.

“It’s probably Sean O’Brien or Peter O’Mahony that I’d be slightly concerned about – not necessarily because of the physical thing, but because they are completely mental”

“I’ve been sharing a room with Sean all tour and we’ve bonded, to say the least.”

“But it’s those two I’d have to put my hand up and say I’d be concerned about,” Haskell said to the Press Association.

One things about O’Brien and O’Mahony is that they will run through a brick wall for the cause and that will be essential against the All Blacks if the Lions have any chance of securing the unlikely win.