Tag Archives: brian o’driscoll

Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll thinks it’s looking increasingly likely that Garry Ringrose will find himself on the bench for the World Cup opener against Scotland on September 22.  Ireland have four out-and-out centres in their 31-man squad for the World Cup; Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Chris Farrell. Joe Schmidt has trialled four different centre partnerships throughout the …

Brian O’Driscoll doesn’t believe that Joey Carbery poses a “genuine threat” to Johnny Sexton’s starting Ireland position for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.  When Carbery made the move to Munster at the beginning of last season, getting regular and consistent game time in the 10 shirt was very much at the forefront of his mind so to increase …

Former Ireland rugby captain, Brian O’Driscoll, believes Joe Schmidt will have one eye on the World Cup and will look to explore his squad depth throughout this Guinness Six Nations campaign.  While Ireland appear to have a settled starting XV, with their eye-catching performances at provincial level, fringe players such as Will Addison and Joey Carbery are fighting tooth and nail …

Former Leinster and Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll has outlined that he believes Johnny Sexton can come across as “confrontational” when discussing issues with the referee during a game. Sexton, who captained his province during their defeat to Munster last weekend, has come under scrutiny following the feisty affair which saw teammate James Lowe sent off as well as a number …

Brian O’Driscoll believes that Munster were hard done by in their loss to Castres in the Heineken Champions Cup at the weekend as he believes the French side should have been punished more heavily for some incidents in the game.  For Andrew Conway’s disallowed try, O’Driscoll thinks there could have easily been a red card and a yellow card issued …

Former Ireland and Leinster captain Brian O’Driscoll has opened up on the use of legal painkillers in rugby during his playing career outlining that for him their use “almost became a habit.” O’Driscoll was one of Ireland and Leinster’s finest players winning countless individual and collective accolades during his nearly 20-year career. Speaking to Off The Ball’s Wednesday night rugby, …

Former Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll has urged England’s Owen Farrell to improve his tackling technique following a number of controversial incidents that could have seen the out-half yellow carded. Farrell was criticised for his no-arms tackle on South Africa’s André Esterhuizen during England’s narrow victory over the Springboks at the beginning of the November Internationals. The challenge went unpunished, however …

It’s been almost a year since Leinster’s Sean O’Brien last lined-out for Ireland, but on Saturday he will make his latest return as Joe Schmidt’s men meet Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. The “Tullow Tank” has been ravaged by injuries over the last number of years and despite starring for the Lions in 2017, hip and shoulder injuries meant that …

Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has outlined the danger that a strong Argentinian can pose ahead of their clash with Joe Schmidt’s side at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Speaking to the media on Friday as a part of Guinness’ #AnswerTheCall campaign, O’Driscoll was full of praise for the Argentinian side that he feels will provide a tough test for …

Brian O’Driscoll has come to the aid of his compatriot in the burgeoning dispute over treatment from match officials. Sunday saw Ross Moriarty claim that Ireland’s Johnny Sexton gets special treatment from referees as a result of his status. Moriarty received a yellow card in the Dragons’ game against Leinster for an off-the-ball challenge on Sexton, and had this controversial comment …

Jacob Stockdale has hit out at criticism from Brian O’Driscoll where the Ireland legend labelled Ulster “a bit of a basket-case”. O’Driscoll was making comments on the Off The Ball sports programme when speaking about the IRFU’s eagerness for Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne to join Ulster. The comments have not gone down well up north and Ireland star Jacob Stockdale …

Ulster head into their final Guinness PRO14 fixture of the season where the face off against a wounded Munster side at Thomond Park on Saturday. The northern province still has a mathematical chance of securing a playoff spot if they can beat Johann van Graan’s side with a bonus-point and also hope that the Glasgow Warriors beat Edinburgh. They will …

When Jacob Stockdale burst onto the senior international stage last year during Ireland’s summer tour of America, it was immediately clear that the 21-year-old had the potential for a bright future. Having impressed for the Ireland U20s, with 11 tries in nine appearances, there was much anticipation when the big winger made the step up to the senior ranks. Bringing with …

Jonathan Davies, Brian O'Driscoll and Martyn Williams praise Ireland after their thrilling win over Wales.

After the dramatic final minutes of Ireland’s 15-13 over France at the Stade de France in Paris now beginning to settle in the hearts and minds of Irish supporters, attention is beginning to focus on the controversial HIA situation which also occurred during the end of the game.  In the 76th minute, replacement scrum-half Antoine Dupont suffered a knee injury …

Mathieu Bastareaud has been handed a three-week ban after pleading guilty to using homophobic language during Toulon’s Champions Cup clash with Benetton. The 29-year-old was widely condemned in the rugby community after appearing to aim an anti-gay slur at an opposition player. The giant centre will miss France’s opening Six Nations clash with Ireland, as Jack Brunel takes over as …