O’Driscoll will lead pack by example
The Ireland captain was a member of the Lions four years ago in Australia but admitted yesterday that his elevated status on this tour will be a new experience.
"I'm sure it's going to be quite different," said O'Driscoll. "It's going to be a fantastic occasion and something that I'm thoroughly looking forward to.
"I've spoken to Michael Owen about it, about leading the team out in Cardiff, and it was a massive occasion for him. This will be similarly as big for me. It's a moment I've very much looked forward to and now it's only a few days away.
"I won't let the occasion get to me too much but I'll try and enjoy it."
The midfield star was asked to describe his style of leadership and he replied: "I think a huge amount is leading by example and even the way you play. Perhaps I might not be as vocal as some other captains but I'd like to think I'll lead by my performances and making sure that's up to scratch first and foremost. If something needs saying then sure I'll step in and say it but I'm certainly not one to speak for the sake of speaking.
"The great thing about this squad is that there are so many leaders amongst it; guys who have captained their clubs and their countries and there's plenty of intelligent rugby minds out there that have relevant points to make so it's about sharing the workload too."
Sitting next to O'Driscoll, head coach Clive Woodward said he had always wanted the Lions skipper to play in the opening game and had picked his side around the Irish centre. He also implied that O'Driscoll's place in the Test side was virtually the only name pencilled in at this stage.
"I don't know if anyone can predict what the Test team is going to be because I certainly can't," said Woodward. "There are some huge battles in almost every single position and it's going to be fascinating to see who steps up to the mark. It really is a very open selection at the moment and that's why I'm just looking forward to getting this trip under way. There's a lot of players who you've admired from afar, like watching the two props this morning, Gethin Jenkins and Matt Stevens. I was looking forward to seeing them play in the heat of the battle. I think most positions are open to selection and this starting XV has got first crack in the opening game.
"We did make a start in the game against Argentina, that was our first chance to cut our teeth and we've just got to move forward from there."
To that end, Woodward has enjoyed what he has seen so far on the training ground, particularly in the way his coaching staff has come together from four different countries.
"It's actually been fantastic. Eddie O'Sullivan said this morning to the players: 'I want to give you three words about yesterday's training
unacceptable.' So we're learning a language from other people," he added, before explaining to some bemused reporters that the Irish coach was making a bit of a joke.
"It's gone really well. I was talking to Phil Larder after today's training session and saying that when I was putting this all together I genuinely believed that win, lose or draw over here that every country could take something out of this trip, whether it be from a coaching pint of view, the players, the medical point of view. That's one of my overriding briefs. Clearly I want to come here and win a Test series, that's my number one priority here, but I just want to try and see the Lions in a much bigger picture.
The coaches Ian McGeechan's been fantastic, obviously I know Andy (Robinson) and Phil Larder well, Eddie, Fordy, and they're all getting on well. Today's a classic example of what I thought it would actually turn out like. We trained this morning with the team that's playing against Bay Of Plenty with Andy Robinson, Phil and Eddie, then this afternoon the players for the Taranaki game will train with the other coaches.
So it's falling into place and we're using, obviously, the same set of principles with both sets of coaches. That's what I think you need to do if you have any chance of winning down here.
"I'm hoping that's why we've had such a miserable record because we just haven't been able to prepare properly; you're just so busy playing games and getting knocked about that come the test matches we've not been up to it.
"This time I'm hoping we'll be well prepared based on what the coaches are doing. I was lucky enough to coach England for seven years and Eddie's been with Ireland for four or five years now and you get the situation where there's little things you just know and just assume. Then you realise you're working with four different sets of players and coaches, that it's the small details that are the things you suddenly realise you've forgotten or missed out or you're using different calls. It will take some time but we just need some games now and I'm looking forward to the first one."
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