Brian O’Driscoll, the Ireland and Lions centre, has chosen the toughest opponents from his remarkable rugby career.
Here are his top five opponents, based on many Q&As throughout the years, including one on the Six Nations website:
Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
Brian’s Comment:
“Same height as me [5-foot-11] and still 16-stone. Probably the most complete centre in the modern game.”
Richard Hill (England)
Brian’s Comment:
“Richard Hill, England No.6 that won the World Cup in 2003. He was a brilliant teammate but he made that team tick, he was the unsung hero in that world cup win. He was hard! I always liked playing with guys that were nails in the team, that really stood up and never took a backwards step.”
Yannick Jauzion (France)
Brian’s Comment:
“Jauzion was just incredible and was so hard to stop, with his offloading ability. France built so much off and around him. 6-foot-4 and probably 17-stone.”
Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
Brian’s Comment:
“I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel.”
Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Brian’s Comment:
“Even to just get a snapshot of what his mind works like now and how he thinks about things is pretty eye-opening as to what sort of detail he went into as a player. He’s an out-and-out perfectionist, he just needs that 10 out of 10. I don’t think you ever achieve it and I think he beats himself up about it, but he got pretty close to 10 a lot of times.”
