O’Driscoll: Lions axe ‘kind of a kick in the guts’

Brian O’Driscoll admits he resented Warren Gatland’s decision to drop him from the final British and Irish Lions Test — and that it spoiled the series win for him.

The talismanic Ireland centre played in the first two Tests against Australia, which left the sides level at 1-1 and set up a decider in Sydney. But O’Driscoll was dropped from the starting line-up in favour of Jamie Roberts, and also ditched from the match-day 23.

Gatland said afterwards he was unable to fully enjoy the 41-16 victory which secured the series due to the “vitriolic” abuse he received for making the call. O’Driscoll admitted yesterday he didn’t take much joy in it either, despite finally earning a series win after being on the wrong end of defeats in 2001, 2005 and 2009.