O’Driscoll: We must keep Elsom quiet to beat ‘tired’ Wallabies

Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll has said his team must keep the Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom quiet to give them any chance of winning their November international today.

Elsom returns to Ireland for the first time since he left Leinster on a high after winning the Heineken Cup in May and the Ireland captain recognises the telling contribution he had on the province’s success.

O’Driscoll said: “We know about him and his excellent ball-carrying skills, but he brings a lot more to the game. He is a smart footballer and a quiet leader.”

But O’Driscoll said they must counter that now for Kidney’s team to run out as winners over the southern hemisphere giants.

He said: “Certainly, if you can keep him quiet then you are making life a lot easier for yourself.”

But O’Driscoll hopes that a long season for the Wallabies will give Ireland the advantage in today’s game.

He said: “Teams have complained about being overtired, like at the end of our season when we travel down for a summer tour.

“Teams fine a peak condition at different times, southern hemisphere and northern hemisphere.

“This is our first international together for six months, so we are not expecting complete fluidity, but hopefully we’ll hit the pitch running and give a good account of ourselves.”