Brian O’Driscoll to join Newstalk’s ‘Off the Ball’ team

Rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll has signed on the dotted line with Newstalk and will join their Off the Ball team this September.

The former Ireland and Leinster player, 35, will join the radio programme as a co-presenter following a break over the summer months.

He said: “Making the decision to join Off the Ball was easy for me as it’s the nation’s leading sports show and best radio station, and following a break I’ll be more than ready for it in September.”

Delighted to be joining the @offtheball team on @NewstalkFM from September. Summer of generating a radio voice already have the face!

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) June 3, 2014

Off the Ball presenter Ger Gilroy said he was thrilled that the team had a gap for a world-class centre.

He added: “Seriously though, his giant sports brain will be picked clean here on a regular basis. We can’t wait to start.

“Brian is one of the very few truly great sports icons and we know his addition to the team will provide our listeners with a sports insight and commentary not found at any other radio station.”

Last weekend, O’Driscoll’s final game in a Leinster jersey was marred by injury.

His farewell appearance, against Glasgow Warriors, only lasted for eight and a half minutes after he suffered a calf injury from throwing his body into a ruck.

He withdrew from the action for the last time with a shake of his head, ending 15 years as a professional player.

Back in the dressing room, a disappointed BOD tweeted “Shit happens”. Leinster still defeated the Glasgow Warriors by 34-12.