Battered Brian basks in glory

FOR Brian O’Driscoll, victory over England was probably one of the best experiences of his long and distinguished international career.

O’Driscoll’s reputation has been built on the flamboyant; his phenomenal work-rate sometimes goes unnoticed, but Saturday’s win over the old enemy was as good as it gets.

“It was disappointing to concede a try at the end, it was a bit nerve wracking and we could have done without that finish. However, some games go like that and we played it out; we did what we needed to do,” said O’Driscoll.

As Ireland moved on towards a possible Grand Slam title, O’Driscoll moved ever closer to selection for another Lions tour — with the possibility that he will be named as captain.

Wales capitulated in Paris, and Ryan Jones has dropped down the pecking order. In the presence of such an influential figure as Lions manager Gerald Davies, O’Driscoll didn’t do his hopes any harm. Neither did Paul O’Connell, whose confrontational display almost matched his captain’s brilliant scoring ability.

O’Driscoll scored eight points of Ireland’s total with a drop goal and a sensational try on a day when Ronan O’Gara left his kicking boots back in Cork.

The captain admitted: “We missed some opportunities and that was disappointing”, but he quickly added that England should never be ruled out of a contest.

“It was the most physical game I’ve played in for a long time. Irrespective of what team England select, they’re pretty hardened, they’ve played in big cup finals and they’re always a huge team to beat; perhaps that’s why we take so much joy in beating them.”

O’Driscoll wasn’t totally surprised that it was a close call, and a low scoring match.

“Take two years ago, and last year I suppose, out of the equation, any time I’ve been involved against England there hasn’t ever really been much more than a score between the sides. The result wasn’t a total surprise.”

O’Driscoll has made his name on an ability to score tries – his second half effort on Saturday brought his international tally to 35 – but drop goals have also been on the agenda. He notched up his fifth against the English and admitted immediately that it was only a speculative attempt.

“I knew we were getting a penalty and just decided to go for it. The kick went over, and it was three points in the bag,” he said.

“I had no time to assess the situation; I saw his hand (referee) out for a penalty so I just had a go. It’s not my scene, dropping goals; I would normally leave that up to others, but I will take it.”

O’Driscoll was battered and bruised – perhaps a Citing Commissioner might yet intervene to call a couple of English players to account: “I’m sore; I suppose you take a little more enjoyment of coming through the back end of that type of game. I enjoyed it.”

On the subject of illegality, O’Driscoll would not be drawn. “My concern is that England scored a try at the end with 14 players. But we won the match and we will enjoy the result.

“Nothing has changed for us; this week was about England and we now have to think about Scotland.

“Murrayfield is a tough place to play; the Six Nations is a really tough tournament to win, every team is capable of beating the other. We’re just living for the moment, match, by match.”