After nearly half-an-hour of being asked, in as many different ways as possible, whether issues with alcohol have stunted his career James O’Connor seemed almost relieved to be questioned on whether he considered moving to an Irish province this month.

Brian O’Driscoll fully expects to see mercurial out-half Quade Cooper trot out to stare down the Lions in Australia although the prospects of Kurtley Beale doing likewise look less favourable given the Melbourne Rebel has been suspended again.