Coaches’ rivalry talk having no effect: O’Driscoll

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL stressed the ‘public interest’ story involving the frosty relationship between former national coach Warren Gatland and his successor, Eddie O’Sullivan is having no effect on team preparation ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations match with Wales.

Barely out of his teenage years, O’Driscoll made his Ireland debut under the now Wales coach on the 1999 tour to Australia while also playing starring roles under the Kiwi in successive Six Nations victories over France in 2000 and 2001 – the 2000 victory in Paris remembered for his hat-tricks of tries in a first win over Les Bleus in Paris in 28 years.

O’Driscoll’s rise to international prominence under Gatland saw the Dubliner play a starring role on the Lions tour to Australia in 2001. Some might venture that O’Driscoll played some of his best rugby under the New Zealander. But the apparent long standing animosity between Gatland and O’Sullivan has overshadowed other major talking points ahead of the Croker clash. However, O’Driscoll says the Gatland/O’Sullivan side-show cannot be allowed impact upon the team.