Irish Rugby Needs a Carlsberg

Getty Images

Subscription only

Alone They Stand

Getty Images

Subscription only

Lions Seek Impact in BOD Test

Getty Images

In the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney on Thursday night a man was quietly organising a taxi for his family at the concierge, momentarily distracted when fans came up to speak to him. Almost unrecognisable dressed down in grey civvies he had melded into the busy throng around the hotel lobby. Yet a few hundred yards away at the Royal Automobile Club a Welshman, dressed in full Lions team wear, spent twenty minutes of his press conference discussing the absence of the Irishman ordering the taxi. Albeit Jonathan Davies did an admirable job in what were difficult circumstances for him forty eight hours before kick-off. Particularly when he thought he would lose out once Jamie Roberts was fit again to play. 

As Brian O’Driscoll whisked his wife Amy and Daughter Sadie to take refuge in the peace and quiet of a family dinner, the rugby world was in turmoil after Lions coach Warren Gatland's decision to leave out the Irish international centre and the tremor was felt across the media circles. The calmest man being O’Driscoll himself who accepted the selection in the manner you would expect, quietly, calmly and professionally. The decision perhaps only shocking for some as the rugby icon was not even of value on the bench and a point that attracted more criticism probably than the starting choice itself of Davies and Roberts. And that the team could not benefit from O’Driscoll's involvement proved an outcome much harder to fathom in many ways for fans. 

Truthfully though, BOD is not an impact substitute in the way others can be on game day. 

But as Davies fielded all the questions, the daunting task of what lay ahead became more apparent, all confirmed by the number of times O’Driscoll’s name was mentioned. Yet such is professional sport at this level, that one player's misfortune is another's unforeseen fortune with Davies now accumulating another Lions test cap on the 2013 tour and hoping to add to his tally of three tour tries. With the spot on the bench going to Manu Tuilagi, a player all the more surprised to find himself immersed in the final and crucial test. Which for all intents and purposes could become known as the BOD Test given the cruel events of this week for one of rugby’s greatest players.

Across the harbour at The Rocks, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans found it hard to argue against the notion that momentum was now edging his way of his squad, on the eve of the decisive test. His humour and fast ripostes showed a man engaging in gallows humour to some degree, clearly delighted to have been spared another chances after Melbourne levelled matters last week. Even if the choice of George Smith at flanker attracted a fair amount of comment, under normal circumstances it would have been another story the media could have beat him with. On this day however it was more Shangri-La and everybody seemed warmed by the thought of maintaining the 13 year winning record over The Lions. One which Deans would also enjoyed as player with The All Blacks and no doubt rejigging his game plan with the knowledge that O'Driscoll was no longer to be a threat.

The thought process ahead of the crucial third test was not complex for Deans, as long as his team secured with good possession in the right areas of the field the platform from which the Australians plan to demolish the Lions defence. Continuing in many ways the game plan from the Etihad Stadium seven days ago, which rendered that vital result for the Qantas Wallabies. Where Deans got more correct tactically than Gatland, leaving the Lions squeezed on the gain line, without ball in hand, and unable to relieve the almost constant Wallaby pressure. Or dominate the set piece to build an attacking platform. 

A rather flat performance to the impartial observers’ it would have to be said.

Not surprisingly therefore that on the eve of the game at the North Sydney Oval the language from forwards coach Graham Rowntree was all positive. And speaking of one great performance still left in the tank. In fact, billing the game as the greatest ever in his sporting career and one that all the squad were desperate to win. But no so desperate as to overcook it, a problem that might have been a determining factor in the second test given the deep disappointment the players felt when they lost out on a series win by the one point. It was a theme echoed by Richard Hibbard and Tommy Bowe when they faced the media after their final session. 

For Bowe it was time to play rugby, attack with ball in hand and seek that Holy Grail which for sixteen years has eluded packs of Lions. Be it in South Africa the last time. Or indeed New Zealand the previous time. Or indeed in Australia the time before that, all of thirteen years ago.

As the rugby world, and particularly the Irish sporting world digests the departure of Drico, at least at Lions test level, the final battle of the tour will still be down to the tightest of margins. Perhaps even the refereeing of Roman Poite, who it appears, is a welcome choice for the Lions as they gear up for the last test at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. A contest which pits two teams against each other once again, in a series that has not seen more than two points ever separate them at then final whistle, with both squads suffering a few major injuries and with two Kiwi coaches at the helm. In addition two squads fighting to write history. 

If the Lions may seem the hungrier bunch in terms of breaking that touring hoodoo, it is clear in downtown Sydney that the locals, who do take an interest the union game, are buoyed by the Etihad Stadium result. It remains to be seen whether Warren Gatland’s selection decisions were the correct ones.

The view of Sir Clive Woodward post second test was that substitutions or selections are far from scientific, and during the last game the Gatland’s decisions to haul off a number of players midway through the second half might have been premature – given the negative result. It would go without saying that the best laid plans in the locker room don’t always transfer the park. But that won’t worry Gatland who seems to thrive in the tough decisions, those big calls, and is rarely fazed by controversy. Thirteen years ago the same coach was urging Irish supporters to fax their best wishes to the Irish team at their Paris hotel, ahead of what became a historic win at Stade France in 2000. In Sydney though there have been few well-wishing faxes one imagines relating to things thirteen. 

Although should the Lions win the series the well-wishers will no doubt forget the O’Driscoll call. Temporarily at least.

For Brian the future will be more about quiet dinners with Amy and Sadie – which will give him time to reflect on a career that has given so much to the game. 

For BOD has truly been a player of impact. 

It’s just he has failed to get Gatland’s trust in the deciding test on Saturday night in Sydney.

OSM - All rights reserved

O'Driscoll Embarrased by Record Defeat

Brian O'Driscoll has described Ireland's record 60-0 defeat by New Zealand as "a bit embarrassing".

The Irish were crushed by the awesome All Blacks who ran in nine tries to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

"We started terribly and they came at us. We just made too many errors," said O'Driscoll after the match in Hamilton.

"We had a lot of tackles to make and that scoreline tells its own story. They were clinical at the breakdown and we were terrible."

Ireland came into the match with just pride to play for, having already lost the series, but were expected to put up a tough fight following their narrow 22-19 defeat in Christchurch a week earlier.

But O'Driscoll knew they were in for a rough ride after New Zealand established a 21-0 lead after 19 minutes.

"We knew that we had to start well and we didn't and that's what the All Blacks do - when they get a 15 or 20-point lead they just play their own game and you're running after them for 80 minutes," he said.

"To be 21 points down before 20 minutes was up, we were going to be chasing the game."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney admitted his side never recovered from early errors.

"We let them play well," he said. "We made turnovers early on, especially in the first quarter, and once New Zealand get ahead of you like that, it gives them free will to play the way they played for the next 60 minutes.

"We were just a bit too loose at the breakdown, they won all the collisions.

"It is quite a simple game, if you're losing the collisions you're going to lose the game."

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw was delighted with the way the hosts responded to criticism after the narrow second Test victory.

"It was great, we really picked up in intensity from last week, that probably sums it up even when we didn't have the ball," said McCaw.

"There is always a danger when you get 20 points up that quickly that you might throw the ball around more than you should, but I was happy with the way we got the mix right."

Not All Black as O'Driscoll Proud of Display

Disappointed skipper Brian O'Driscoll said he was proud of Ireland's display in their agonising 22-19 defeat by New Zealand in the Saturday's second Test.

With the scores locked at 19-19 after 79 enthralling minutes, Dan Carter's drop goal scraped over to give the world champions a narrow victory.

"We got back on level terms and to concede the way we did was disappointing," said O'Driscoll.

"Our display was hugely improved from last week and I'm proud of the lads."

Having been overpowered 42-10 in the first Test in Auckland a week earlier, a rejuvenated Ireland came close to avioding defeat in New Zealand for the first time.

"We let ourselves down in the first Test and we spoke about that, we spoke about the jersey and concentrating on our own game, but the scoreline still says an All Blacks win which is difficult to take considering the effort we put in," added O'Driscoll.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney refused to single out any of the decisions that went in New Zealand's favour following Israel Dagg's trip to the sin-bin.

He said: "We are just trying to work on what is under our control. We will have a look at it this week, but will only be focusing on what we can control."

Kidney praised the performance of scrum-half Conor Murray, Ireland's try-scorer, and insisted there was more to come from the 23-year-old.

"He had the confidence to play a bit more tonight. He showed that with the opportunity that he took.

"His selection was a tight call and Eoin Reddan did well. We'll just have to see how guys pull up during the week."

While Ireland were disappointed, New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw was relieved to get away with the win.

"We made mistakes, let them get momentum and that went against us. We gave the ball away but at the end we are happy," said McCaw.

"We have got things to work on, but we recovered our composure, forced a mistake and got the win."

Kidney Prefers Heineken for Second Test

Declan Kidney has named 10 Leinster players in his line-up for Ireland's  second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

The inclusion of Kevin McLaughlin, Mike Ross and Gordon D'Arcy means the Heineken Cup champions will make up two-thirds of the Irish XV.

McLaughlin will team up with province team-mate Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip in the back-row, while D'Arcy resumes his partnership with Brian O'Driscoll in the midfield.

Ross joins fellow prop Cian Healy in passing a fitness test to take his place in the front-row.

There is also a call-up for Ulster winger Andrew Trimble, with Simon Zebo dropping to the bench despite a lively display in the first Test defeat.

Kidney said: "It was a close call between Kevin and Peter O'Mahony. It is about freshening it up a bit but the fact that Kevin will be part of a back row unit [he has been in] many times before helps."

He added: "Usually a back row will plunder well if the front row are doing well ahead of them."

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Dan Tuohy, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Peter O'Mahony, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Simon Zebo.

Kidney Calls Up 3 New NZ Names

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has named a 29-man squad that includes three uncapped players for the three test tour of New Zealand in June.

Declan Fitzpatrick and Mike Sherry are included up front, while Simon Zebo is named in the backs as is Darren Cave, who won two caps on the North American tour in 2009.

There are a number of spaces left vacant with a further prop, second row, back row and scrum half to be added before the squad departs for New Zealand.

Ireland squad for New Zealand Tour 2012, 9, 16, 23 June:

Forwards (16):

Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Stephen Ferris, Declan Fitzpatrick, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O’Mahony, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Tuohy, A.N. Other, A.N. Other, A.N. Other.

Backs (13):

Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble. Simon Zebo, A.N. Other.

Brian O’Driscoll returns to the Ireland squad for the first time since the Rugby World Cup and has been confirmed as captain for the tour.

O'Driscoll Wants More Heineken

Brian O'Driscoll insists Leinster are intent on building a dynasty after they won a third Heineken Cup title in four years by beating Ulster.

The defending champions scored five tries on their way to an ultimately one-sided victory as Ulster succumbed to a 42-14 defeat - the biggest-ever margin in a Heineken Cup final.

O'Driscoll was thrilled with the success and admitted Leinster set themselves a target of becoming one of the greatest sides in European history after they won their first title in 2009.

He told Sky Sports 3 HD: "It will take a couple of days for it to properly to settle in but after we won one we talked about not being content with that and trying to create some sort of dynasty and something to be remembered by.

"We're going in the right direction towards doing that but I know this team will be hungry for more.

"That's why it's enjoyable, You're going in day-in and day-out because you know you're going to be pushed by the guy next to you. We played for one another out there and that really showed today.

"The energy from all 23 was phenomenal, it shows where we are as a squad. I only came in for the knockout stages - for the important part - but the hard graft was put in during the group stages."

Man-of-the-match Sean O'Brien, who scored Leinster's first try, revealed the Irishmen are still looking to push on despite claiming back-to-back European titles.

"We've worked hard in the last 10 months and today was the day where we had to for go it and thankfully we got the win," he added.

"It's a strong squad and we really want to kick on. Every time we put on a blue shirt there's an energy around us.

"We trusted the team and we trusted the system. At times today there were lots of mistakes but winning is important and that's what we did today."

McLaughlin magnanimous

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin, who tasted defeat in his last game in charge of the Irish province, admitted Leinster deserved the trophy.

"It was really only in the last 16 minutes that Leinster moved away as the game was very much in the balance," he said.

"We fought back hard and scored a nice try but in the last 10 minutes Leinster showed what a quality side they are and how much they deserved the trophy.

"I wouldn't do anything differently today at all. We knew it was always going to be difficult."

Hooker Rory Best said his squad must draw inspiration from the defeat.

"It was heartbreaking watching Leinster lift the trophy but that is what you learn from," Best said. "You have to watch that and that has to drive you for next year.

Defeats like this and watching Leinster lift the trophy has to be in our minds now for the next 12 months. We have to be aiming to be in the Aviva next year (for the final).

"We can't pat ourselves on the back for being in the Heineken Cup final when four years ago you thought you were never going to get out of the group.

"You have to be looking to win this trophy."

Leinster Include McLaughlin and Reddan

Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney have been passed fit to line up for Leinster in Saturday's all-Irish Heineken Cup final against Ulster.

O'Driscoll starts despite having minor knee surgery last week while Kearney has recovered from a back problem.

Eoin Reddan's return in place of Isaac Boss is one of three changes from the semi-final win over Clermont-Auvergne.

Fergus McFadden and Kevin McLaughlin replace Shane Jennings and Luke Fitzgerald at wing and flanker.

Boss' physicality had earned him the scrum-half starting slot in the thrilling semi-final win in France but Reddan, the regular first-choice number nine, regained the jersey for the Twickenham decider.

McLaughlin was hampered by a knock in the run-up to the semi-final but returns in place of Jennings in the back row.

Wing Fitzgerald was ruled out of the decider two weeks ago after suffering a recurrence of a neck injury which requires surgery.

O'Driscoll had some cartilage removed from his knee last week but there was never any real doubt about the Irish captain's availability for the decider.

"He trained fully yesterday and trained well. We didn't train him today on the pitch [at Twickenham], but he is in good shape, and he will play tomorrow," said Leinster coach Joe Schmidt.

O'Driscoll's fight for fitness mirrored this time 12 months ago when another knee injury left him doubtful for the European final against Northampton.

He did play in Cardiff but was hampered by the injury.

"You'd want to have a limb falling off not to be able to play in the Heineken Cup final," said O'Driscoll.

"One thing about having a longish career is that you learn to deal with having knocks going into games."

Kearney did train on Friday and Schmidt described the full-back as "feeling pretty comfortable".

Schmidt is expecting his players to sustain more "bumps and bruises" in Saturday's contest.

"We know Ulster are going to take a leaf out of the same book as Clermont [who they beat in the Heineken Cup semi-final] and Glasgow [who they beat in the Pro 12 semi-final] and be very physical.

"It will be a case of having to freshen things up as we go."

The coach added that his decision to leave Jennings out of the starting line-up had been "tough".

"Shane is a real leader on and off the pitch for us, but it is just about getting a degree of balance, and what he brings at the back end of the game.

"There is a little bit of strategy to it and a little bit of misfortune for 'Jenno'."

Leinster's All Black lock Brad Thorn is in line to make history by becoming the first player to win World Cup, Super Rugby and Heineken Cup medals.

The 37-year-old former All Blacks lock has been a key part of Leinster's charge to the final.

Champions in 2009 and 2011, Leinster will become the first side to win the trophy three times in four years if they beat Ulster at Twickenham.

Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), B Thorn, K McLaughlin; S O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, H van der Merwe, N White, D Toner, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, D Kearney.

Leinster Suffer and O'Driscoll Survives

Leinster's 20-match unbeaten run was ended as the Ospreys took a deserved win in the Pro12 clash at the RDS as Brian O'Driscoll returned to action.

The home side led 19-6 early in the second half but George Stowers' try gave the Ospreys hope before the Welsh club produced a big finish.

Richard Hibbard's 77th-minute try cut Leinster's lead to a point before Dan Biggar kicked a superb conversion.

Ian Madigan's try had helped Leinster lead 16-6 at half-time.

O'Driscoll was having his first outing since the Rugby World Cup while captain Leo Cullen also returned from Achilles surgery to partner debutant All Blacks World Cup winner Brad Thorn in Leinster's second row

The Ospreys had Wales' Grand Slam winners Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones and Justin Tipuric in their starting line-up, but fell behind to a second minute penalty from Fergus McFadden.

However, Andrew Bishop's counter-attack led to an Ospreys penalty in the Leinster 22 which the impeccable Biggar landed.

Without getting through the gears, Leinster forced two more penalties which McFadden landed to give the home side a 9-3 lead by the 26th minute.

The Ospreys' prospects were being undermined by a series of midfield handling errors and they looked in big trouble in the 33rd minute when Madigan scored Leinster's try.

Richardt Strauss' line-out from just outside the 22 flew beyond his jumpers but Madigan picked up the loose ball and charged past Hanno Dirksen to score.

McFadden's conversion extended Leinster's lead to 16-3 although Biggar replied with an Ospreys penalty before the break.

Another McFadden penalty left Leinster 13 ahead again just after the break but a superb Richard Fussell run set up a simple penalty for Biggar on 50 minutes.

The Ospreys were well and truly back in the contest a minute later as a Dirksen break and fast hands from Ashley Beck set up a tremendous try for Samoan star Stowers.

Biggar's extras cut the deficit to only three and the Ospreys then crucially repelled some Leinster pressure at the other end as Heinke van der Merwe was held up twice over the line by brave defending.

After O'Driscoll and Thorn had departed just before the hour, the Ospreys suffered a setback when Wales flanker Justin Tipuric was harshly sin-binned for what referee Peter Fitzgibbon deemed a dangerous spear-like tackle on Kevin McLaughlin.

However, McFadden missed the resultant penalty and with the Leinster scrum under massive pressure after losing tighthead prop Nathan White and his replacement Jamie Hagan to injury, the Ospreys sensed their chance.

The late pressure yielded Hibbard's 77th-minute try after the use of the television match official and man of the match Biggar held his nerve to slot the difficult conversion from the touchline, with the aid of an upright.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa; David Kearney, Brian O'Driscoll, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Nathan White; Leo Cullen (capt), Brad Thorn; Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Leo Auva'a

Replacements: Fionn Carr for Kearney 68, Eoin O'Malley for O'Driscoll 58, Sean Cronin for Strauss 59, Jamie Hagan for White 30, Damian Browne for Thorn 55, Kevin McLaughlin for Auva'a 55, Jack McGrath for Hagan 59.

Not Used: Cooney.

Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Hanno Dirksen, Andrew Bishop, Ashley Beck, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Kahn Fotuali'i; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Tom Smith, George Stowers, Justin Tipuric.

Replacements: Adam Jones for Jarvis 58, Ian Evans for R Jones 72, James King for Stowers 59.

Not Used: Scott Baldwin, Ryan Bevington, Rhys Webb, Matthew Morgan, Tom Isaacs.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)

Assistant Referees: Simon McDowell, Olly Hodges

Citing Commissioner: Murray White

TMO: Alan Rogan

O'Driscoll Out of 6 Nations Campaign

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is set to miss next year's Six Nations campaign after being ruled out for up to six months with a shoulder injury.

O'Driscoll will undergo surgery on a trapped nerve in his shoulder next week.

The news will also come as a major blow to Heineken Cup holders Leinster as the centre will be absent for their entire Pool 3 qualifying series.

Leinster will begin their defence against Montpellier ron Saturday.

O'Driscoll struggled with a shoulder injury throughout the World Cup and missed his province's Rabo Direct Pro12 win over Munster on Friday.

The loss of O'Driscoll will be a big blow to Leinster, who have been without the 32-year-old since Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales in Wellington.

O'Driscoll, who earned the first of his 117 Ireland caps in 1999, will now face a race against time to return to fitness before the end of the season.

The Leinster centre is Ireland's record try scorer and in 2011 he broke the 78-year-old record set by Scotland's Ian Smith as the all-time Five/Six Nations top try scorer when he crossed for his 25th championship try against England.

O'Driscoll has been unlucky with injury, notably missing the majority of the 2005 British Lions tour to New Zealand after he suffered a dislocated shoulder following an illegal spear tackle by Tana Umaga.

Last month, the centre revealed in an interview with the Evening Herald that he wants to bow out of the game after the 2013 Lions Tour to Australia.

O'Driscoll Looks Forward to Italy

Brian O'Driscoll takes little heart from Ireland's schedule during this season's RBS 6 Nations.

With England and France - traditionally viewed as the competition's heavyweights - due to visit Lansdowne Road, odd number years are regarded as Ireland's best chance of winning.

But O'Driscoll insists trips to Rome, Edinburgh and Cardiff have proved far from routine in recent times.

'You have a preference for playing the perceived stronger sides at home but at the same time last year we managed to lose to Scotland at home,' he said.

'Having watched what they did at Murrayfield last November (beating South Africa), we know that won't be an easy game.

'We only beat Wales in Cardiff two years ago when they had a penalty kick fall a yard and a half short of the posts in the final minute.

'I even remember we went nine points down in the first half of the Italy game two years ago.

'We had to fight our way back with an interception try and eventually ground our way through.

'What makes this tournament so great is that to win five games in a row is really tough. That's why it took us 61 years to do it for a second time.'

Ireland head to Rome for their opening match of the championship against Italy on Saturday.

Despite a lengthy injury list that has robbed them of 12 Test players, they remain red-hot favourites to launch their Six Nations with a victory.

O'Driscoll will lead the side out at Stadio Flaminio needing just two tries to equal Ian Smith's individual championship record of 24 - a mark that has stood for 78 years.

'It's not something that will have any bearing on how I play my game or how I go about this campaign or any others,' said O'Driscoll.

'If tries come, grand, but it doesn't really bother me which person scores them.

'I get as much enjoyment in creating a try as I do in scoring it.

'You probably get a bit more kudos when your name is in the paper the next day.

'But I've walked in a few easy tries in my time and those who tend to deserve the plaudits don't usually get them.'

www.rbs6nations.com