On the mend.

Leinster and Ireland back-row Sean O’Brien is confident he will be fit and ready in time for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France in Paris next month.

O’Brien has missed Leinster’s last few games with a hip injury and has played just 276 minutes over four club games this season. He is however, targeting a January 12 return against Glasgow in the Champions Cup.

Speaking at a Life Style event yesterday, O’Brien said he’s managing the problem as best he can.

“I just have a tight hip the last two weeks so I’m managing it the best I can for the next two weeks or so to see if I’m available,” O’Brien said.

“It wasn’t an impact or it wasn’t something that was gradually coming on. It’s just tight and it’s restricting me a little bit from running properly so I’ll just have to get it right to get back moving properly.

He says there shouldn’t be any concern in terms of the Six Nations, and that it’s not a huge problem. He says it’s more of a tight muscle issue, than a bang.

“No, there shouldn’t be [any concern for the Six Nations]. I’m looking forward to hopefully being involved next week and we’ll take it from there.

“It’s been causing me a bit of pain running so I’m trying to get on top of it at the minute and it’s improved in the last four or five days a good bit not enough to be up for selection this week.

“It’s not really a bang, it just came on after one of the games. It’s like having a tight muscle.

“It’s a strange one, there’s no incident where I remember, it’s a funny one so I’ve to get it loose and moving.

“I’m rehabbing away, strong. I’m moving it, kind of between a jog and three quarters [pace], the faster I’m going the better it is.

“If there was a final on this weekend, then yeah, you could push it but with what lies ahead, you’d probably do something worse to it so I’ll take my time and make sure it’s right.

“There’s lots of lads playing really well so there’s no point in me going out there 50% when there’s lads that are playing at 100%.

“Next week hopefully. That’s when I’m planning on getting back on the field.”

Sean O’Brien was in the RDS to launch Life Style Sports’ latest fan competition. Fans attending the next four home games should keep an eye out for the Life Style Sports stamped seats. If you find yourself in a special seat and are wearing the latest Leinster Rugby jersey, be sure to take a selfie with the stamp tagging@LifeStyleSportsRugby on Instagram to win a €50 gift card.