Pic: O2, via YouTube
SO MANY OF us Brian O’Driscoll fans — Brianiacs — sent the legendary Ireland centre some of our most pressing questions using O2′s #askbrian hashtag.
And the Leinster man has only gone and taken time out from preparing for Sunday’s 6 Nations clash with Scotland to answer some of them.
Here’s your take-away lessons.
1. Last week was the biggest of his life.
He may have been ineffective against England in Dublin but there was the small matter of his first child’s arrival earlier in the day.
“Bar none. Whatever about the importance of a rugby match, when you’re first child arrives it’s a truly special occasion and I’ve been on cloud nine, absolutely loving it. And typically well-timed as well, she was very considerate to arrive the morning of the English game rather than during the game itself or just before hand.”
PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
2. BOD’s a Springsteen fan…
“I listen to a hugely mixed bag of music; I like a lot of one-off songs. Recently I’ve been listening to Sia, Breathe Me and James Arthur, Impossible but I’m a big Springsteen fan so he always gets a shout on the playlist.”
Funny, we always saw Brucie as more of a Munster Rugby man.
3. The Grand Slam was his most memorable experience in green. Duh!
“I’ve been so lucky to have been part of many memorable days and games, but it’s hard not to look to the 2009 Grand Slam win. It was the culmination of many, many years of work, and disappointments, of being an almost team, so to finally win the Championship in the manner in which we did, in such dramatic circumstances — it was just a fantastic and a phenomenal feeling.”
4. The touchdown for the Lions in Oz was his favourite try, as well as the one in Cardiff for the Grand Slam:
“That was certainly not an eye pleasing try to watch it but it was a hugely important try for us in that game. In terms of an attractive try, I love the try that I scored during the 2001 Lions Test just because it was against the Australians. They were reigning world champions at the time and they had an incredible defensive record so it was great to score that from 40 yards out was pretty sweet.”
YouTube: MyRugbyTV
5. Richie McCaw is top dog
“Of the current crop, I have a huge amount the likes of Richie McCaw will go down as potentially the greatest player to have played our game; playing for the All Blacks as an open side, the man is just a phenomenal player. I have played against him on a number of occasions and I just found him to be such a tough competitor. I just have a huge amount of respect for him.”
6. Jonny Wilkinson is the hardest tackler he’s ever come up against. Srsly?
“Pound for pound the hardest player I’ve met is Johnny Wilkinson. During the 2003 Grand Slam game, I took a hit off him with a couple of minutes to go. I had a dead leg after it for about two weeks. His timing was just impeccable and I felt every ounce of power he possessed behind each collision.”
Pic: Tripadvisor
7. Eddie Rockets cheese chips is his cheat-meal:
When it comes to his ‘cheat-meal’, Brian admitted his love for a bowl of chips, “Sometimes you just have to reward yourself; everything in moderation including moderation itself. When you’re training really hard it’s important to reward yourself. I have to admit, I love a bowl of chips; Eddie Rockets cheese chips. Wow!”
I’m not surprised, the guy is a machine. Himself and Heaslip are built from the same mould.
@Dave Barry: You can add Peter Stringer in there too.
@Dave Barry: from the same what???
@Paddy Mullins: Mould Paddy, you can spell it “mold” but that’s the American way.
@Gary: Peter Stringer best scrum half that never made a lions team !!!!
In fairness still offers more physicality than toner , great pro
@burner: Pointless dig there burner. Ah well, whatever floats your boat.
@burner: God I hate comments like yours. Putting down a player with 50-odd international caps and 200 or so Leinster caps who’s been an important parts of some huge wins I’m sure you’ve enjoyed celebrating.
It’s not just wrong, it’s ungrateful and shows up your ignorance. It’s no coincidence that the likes of you offer no evidence and just ooze out to make your comments right after a defeat
You couldn’t just compliment DOC, no?
Five, that’s five years older than Ryan, and gets contract renewed.
Second rows have the longest shelf life of any position, something worth considering when centrally contracting players.
@Phil O’ Meara: Taking Ryan out of the equation for a moment, 2nd row is a workrate position. A locks ability to get around the pitch and work harder than any other player is paramount. This is affected by age. Although second rows regularly play into their mid to late thirties, very few do so at international level.
@Paul K Murphy: To clarify, and this is only my own theory, there are few locks who play at a world class standard beyond 34 years old because their legs go. Paul O’Connell, Simon Shaw on a Lions tour and Brad Thorn in 2011 are the only exceptions that come to mind in the last 15 years.
@Phil O’ Meara: the reason DO’C gets the contract so easily at 38 is he rarely if ever misses a game through injury, while Ryan has been out for whole swathes of time in recent years, barely making double figure appearances for Munster (in three seasons up to this season he averages 11 games a season/ or if you calculate mins played only 8 per season)…
With those sort of figures, even though this season he’s been largely fit. While he’s looking for maximum return and lengthy contract in his last few seasons, any club will be looking to minimise the risk.
I haven’t a clue about rugby but remember him on latelate I think a few years back giving his views on training techniques. Obviously worked to be playing a physical game at his age. Also a great comment on his game something like sticking his head between two arses and pushing. Funny lad. Fair play
Absolute gent on and off the pitch.
Awesome warrior who puts his body on the line for the us, the unwashed masses.
Taking Ryan out of the equation for a moment, 2nd row is a workrate position. A locks ability to get around the pitch and work harder than any other player is paramount. This is affected by age. Although second rows regularly play into their mid to late thirties, very few do so at international level.
He has a lovely arse