Back in April, Sean O'Brien underwent surgery on his shoulder.

It had already been an injury-affected campaign which had seen him miss out on action as Ireland claimed the Grand Slam and then Leinster swept the boards in both the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

But the 31-year-old is nearing a return to the field with Leinster as he detailed on this week's Friday Night Racing in association with Horse Racing Ireland.

The Carlow native joined Ger Gilroy and Johnny Ward to discuss his horse racing interest, including co-ownership of horse Rovetta who enjoyed success at the Galway Races.

But he also touched on his own return plans, having spent much of this year sidelined.

"Yeah, I'm coming along. I suppose, I'll know where I stand more so in the next couple of weeks but I'm feeling good," he said. 

"I'm after doing an awful lot of work the last 8-9 weeks, so yeah, I'm coming right now and back on the field hopefully next week or the week after and take it from there to see how the body is."

Injury has been something that has impacted O'Brien regularly over recent seasons, leaving him hungry to return to the battlefield. But with experience, he knows not to throw himself back in too vigorously.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I just want to get out now and play kind of thing," he said.

"But these are the crucial weeks when you need to be patient and say to yourself, 'Look, you'll be back when you're fully right. Don't go back a week too early or two weeks too early and do something silly.' So I've learned over the years to have a bit more patience now and go back when I'm fully right." 

The full Friday Night Racing with Sean O'Brien: