Brian O’Driscoll: Ireland can close the gap on southern superpowers
O’Connell has called time on his international career following the Rugby World Cup, having racked up 108 caps from which he gleaned three Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2009.
The 36-year-old’s departure will undeniably be felt by Ireland who have relied upon the second-row’s talismanic qualities for 13 years.
After sharing the green jersey with O’Connell for over a decade, O’Driscoll knows better than anyone just how influential the iconic forward was for his country.
And as O’Connell heads to Toulon to continue his club career in France, former team-mate O’Driscoll is under no illusions at how difficult it will be for Ireland to fill the void left by the departing captain.
“The best way to describe Paul is irreplaceable,” said O’Driscoll.
“As a player obviously everyone knows about his calibre and consistency, his level of professionalism has been phenomenal.
“He’s been so important to Ireland’s cause over the last 12, 13, 14 years. But his inspiration as a leader, as a man, is what is going to be missed most.
“He played under me as captain and I under him and he gives everything to the cause, he helps you out. He is a guy that inspires you to play better.
“I wish him well with his recovery and his couple of years down in the south of France. I am sure we will see more of Paul O’Connell for sure.” O’Connell’s departure coincides with a disappointing Rugby World Cup for Ireland, from which they were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.
Having gone into the tournament off the back of successive Six Nations victories, it was hoped Schmidt’s squad could reach the semi-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
However, those aspirations were ended by Argentina as Daniel Hourcade’s Pumas claimed a shock 43-20 win over Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Despite that disappointing defeat, and the loss of captain O’Connell, O’Driscoll is of the belief that the team can continue to progress with Schmidt in charge.
“Of course there is optimism off the back of two Six Nations victories in the last couple of years,” O’Driscoll added.
“It is a huge disappointment at not being able to get to a semi-final for the first time, something that the lads really targeted.
“We are not a nation that is going to blame the injuries we got in the French game, but they didn’t help our cause.
“But at the same time Argentina, the team we came up against, is a vastly improved team and they were worthy semi-finalists. So a lot of good work has been done, but for four years time there’s plenty more to do.”
Ireland’s quarter-final exit epitomised the northern hemisphere sides’ performances at the Rugby World Cup as not a single one managed to make the last four.
Instead that quartet was made up entirely of teams from the Rugby Championship, leading to concerns that the Six Nations sides were being left behind by those from below the Equator.
Such scrutiny has led to hosts England organising a review panel to assess the reasons behind their group stage exit as coach Stuart Lancaster faces a fight to keep hold of his job.
However, O’Driscoll believes that the likes of Ireland are not far off the Southern Hemisphere sides and the outlook is not as bleak as it is being portrayed.
“I think the gap isn’t as enormous as people are making out,” said O’Driscoll.
“You look at Wales and how decimated they’ve been with injuries and yet they still pushed South Africa the whole way. Scotland were very unfortunate to not find themselves in the semi-final.
“Ireland on another day, hedging their way back into the game with Argentina, maybe with one or two other leaders in that side things could have been different.
“So I don’t think it is all doom and gloom as people make out. The margins are very small at the very top level, unfortunately they favoured the southern hemisphere sides this time round.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
