ENGLAND ASSISTANT COACH Andy Farrell knows Brian O’Driscoll well.
But he’s not sure what to expect when the talismanic Ireland centre faces England on Saturday.
O’Driscoll is in his final season of rugby before retirement and eyeing a second Grand Slam following the team’s home wins over Scotland (28-6) and defending champions Wales (26-3) in the first two rounds.
Farrell coached him on the victorious British and Irish Lions tour of Australia last year and is in no doubt O’Driscoll remains a force even at 35 years of age.
“Brian is certainly a threat,” former dual code international Farrell said. ”If you’ve seen some of the performances he’s put in already this year, he’s been spectacular,” he added.
“Leinster’s game against Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens earlier this season shows what he can do for his side.
“He can turn a game on its head with the special skills and knowledge he has.
“What he brings — even more so these days — is a unity to the team and a real know-how of how to win big games because he’s been there more times than anyone else.”
At the other end of the spectrum is George Ford who may make his Test debut against Ireland.
Farrell insists the young out half will have have no problems adjusting to the demands should he get the nod. Ford is in with a chance of providing cover for England first-choice fly-half Owen Farrell — Andy’s son.
The 20-year-old Ford has impressed at fly-half for Bath where his father Mike — like Andy Farrell a former rugby league player — is the coach, having previously been England’s defence guru.
“Definitely George would be ready to play against Ireland,” Farrell said today ahead of Thursday’s team announcement. ”He’s comfortable in the environment. He knows all the plays and our systems and is comfortable with them.
“When you get that you can start being yourself and bring your game to the party.”
Well that’s a depressing list,even my friend a LOI supporter is willing to go back to hoofball for results, why not give Delaney a call while we are at it
If I were the FAI I’d get onto Didi Hamman as he said he knows hundreds of people who would want the job!
@Aprior: Experts he met in the pub, sure we all know hundreds of them.
Damien Duff, hahaha!
Carsley would be exciting and given we have some great young players might be the right coach
For pure entertainment I wouldn’t be too unhappy if Keane got the job !