O’Driscoll can be Lions legend, claims O’Sullivan

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN has tipped Brian O’Driscoll to etch his name in Lions folklore. Despite the first Test defeat in South Africa, Ireland’s talisman O’Driscoll is still on course for a stunning treble in 2009 following Grand Slam and Heineken Cup triumphs.

O’Driscoll set up two of the Lions tries in Durban but former Ireland coach O’Sullivan believes the star centre can crown a glorious season by inspiring the Lions to victory in Pretoria on Saturday.

O’Sullivan said: “There’s no doubt that Brian’s in good form at the moment and has really brought his best form to the end of the season.

“His form started in the Six Nations and has gone all the way through to the Heineken Cup and onto the Lions – he’s growing and getting better. He’s had a superb year so there is every chance he will have a huge tour.”

O’Driscoll, on his third Lions tour, is attempting to banish the memories of series defeats in 2001 and 2005. But O’Sullivan, a Lions coach in 2005 and now in charge of the USA, reckons Ireland’s golden generation will find their feet quickly in a bid to topple the world champion Springboks.

O’Sullivan said: “I believe the Lions will do well and you’d like to think a lot of the Irish guys will put their hand up for Test selection.

“It’s been more than a good year for Ireland. The country has won the Grand Slam, the Heineken Cup and the Magners League so it doesn’t get much better than that.”

And despite the loss of with 12 Irish players on the Lions tour, the Six Nations champions added the Churchill Cup to the trophy cabinet and end an unforgettable year in style.

He added: “I presume the next objective for Declan and Ireland will be the 2011 World Cup. It’s two years away now and I suppose some players who have played in this Grand Slam won’t be around for the next World Cup so I guess he will have some transition work to do. That will be the main thing for him to do.”