BOD boost for Ireland
The Leinster centre has spoken about his career plans on numerous occasions over the last six months. At times, he hinted the British and Irish Lions tour in 2013 would be a natural end point. At others, he insisted he would play on as long as possible.
“I’m not in a place at the moment where I am going to worry about how long I play for,” he explained.
“Right now, I am enjoying my rugby. We are where we want to be. We are top of the league and in the knockout stages of Europe so I don’t see any need to be putting a timeline on when I am going to finish.
“I spoke to Ronan [O’Gara] the other day and he mentioned 38 but he mentioned 38 so people would get off his back and stop asking him when he is going to retire. There is no need to be putting a time limit on anyone. If they are in good form, their body is feeling good and they are mentally in a good place then I think you play on as long as possible.
“Just ask Brad Thorn.”
That comparison is an interesting one. Thorn, at 37, is four years O’Driscoll’s senior and has only recently pocketed a World Cup winner’s medal. The Irishman will be the same age come the next global tournament in 2015.
Keith Earls performed admirably at outside-centre for Ireland during the Six Nations but O’Driscoll’s intention to hang around as long as possible is welcome news for Declan Kidney as he plots the national side’s next four-year cycle. Leinster will be happy to hear it too.
O’Driscoll returned to action last Friday week after surgery led to a four-month absence and has reported no problems with the shoulder after appearances against the Ospreys and Munster.
The 33-year-old spoke yesterday of an extra bite in his tackle this past few weeks, particularly on the problematic right side, which had been missing in recent seasons and he has proven he can still take a hit as well.
His return against the Welsh region was just minutes old when he gained possession and slid helplessly into contact with the Ospreys’ 6’ 2”, 17-stone back rower Tom Smith but emerged unscathed.
He may not be good as new but he is finally pain free. O’Driscoll’s ailment was obvious in recent seasons when, on occasion, his arm would hang loosely by his side but his enforced absence had its upside.
“It was hard watching on the sidelines but I probably got to a point that I did need some level of rest because I had played for a long time consecutively. I hadn’t missed too many big games, certainly not internationals or Heineken Cup matches. Not just from the shoulder and arm point of view but just the body getting a rest in general.
“It was nice to be able to be selfish and focus on your own thing rather than have to think in a team capacity. I’ve worked hard and I’ve enjoyed it.
“Hopefully I’m in a good place to be able to add something to the squad come the end of the season.”
Like O’Driscoll, Bradley Davies will be stepping out at the Aviva Stadium for the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Cardiff Blues this weekend short on game-time. Unlike the Irishman, Davies’ period of inactivity was self-imposed after a seven-week suspension accrued from his tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan during the Six Nations.
The lock got 80 minutes under his belt in Glasgow last Friday and his return has been talked up by forwards coach Justin Burnell who needs all the good news he can muster given the club’s problems on and off the park of late.
“Bradley is back from suspension and that is a big thing for us,” said Burnell. “He has been a fantastic player for Wales and Cardiff Blues and just to have him back has been like a breath of fresh air through the squad, it is massive.
“He is a good bloke, a good leader and he has really grabbed hold of the set piece over the last few weeks and had a good look at that from a technical point of view so we are really excited about having him back.”
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