The 29-year-old admitted he did not "fully agree" with his omission from Ireland's historic victory over the All Blacks in Chicago on November 5. O'Brien was left out of that game with Ireland fearing the Leinster flanker was not quite 100 per cent ready for Test match intensity following long-term hamstring trouble. Now the bullocking back-rower will start his first Test since Ireland's 10-9 defeat to France in February, where his latest injury problems started. The 27-year-old was deemed not quite ready for the Chicago encounter, and has missed out once again. Ulster lock Henderson has been given the nod to cover lock from the replacements, with Leinster's young gun centre Garry Ringrose also squeezing onto the bench.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 17, 2016 16:49 UTC