Brian O'Driscoll has expressed a surprising opinion, stating that Paul O'Connell should be considered as the future head coach for Ireland, rather than Ronan O'Gara, the current La Rochelle boss.
During his appearance on Off The Ball, the former Leinster star explicitly indicated that O'Gara would not be his preferred candidate to succeed Andy Farrell whenever the opportunity presents itself.
"I do not see a situation where ROG is going to be managing Ireland before Paulie (Paul O'Connell)," Brian O'Driscoll said.
"I think that progression piece is all important to teams and definitely from an international point of view, particularly if you have had success.
"The progression of Andy from the great stuff that Joe Schmidt did, and bringing in his coaching ticket has been huge.
"I'm sure he would say that it's not like he tore up the play sheet and started afresh. He took lots of the success with him."
Brian O’Driscoll’s Dad receives Ireland cap following sons campaign
The IRFU has announced that 12 players, including Frank O'Driscoll, father of Irish rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll, will be awarded caps for their participation in games that were not classified as International Test Matches.
Frank O'Driscoll had played twice for Ireland in 1970 on a tour of Argentina, but was not awarded a cap at the time as the matches were considered non-Test games.
However, a special committee of the IRFU has conducted a thorough examination of the history of capped and uncapped games, and has decided to honor O'Driscoll and the other 11 players by officially awarding them an Ireland cap and enrolling them in the list of international players.
In fact, Brian O'Driscoll had previously called for a cap for his father back in 2014, taking to Twitter to say, "Congrats to all the new caps on tour. In 1970 Ireland toured Argentina with one Frank O'Driscoll. 2 Tests, no cap. IRFU need to put it right."
List of names, Clubs at the time, Year Capped & Ireland Cap Number:
Jack Belton (Old Belvedere) 1946 – #1142
Hugh Dolan (UCD) 1946 – #1143
Harry Greer (NIFC) 1946 – #1144
Jack Guiney (Bective Rangers) 1946 – #1145
Des Thorpe (Old Belvedere) 1946 – #1146
Paul Traynor (Clontarf) 1952 – #1147
John Birch (Ballymena) 1970 – #1148
Frank O’Driscoll (UCD) 1970 – #1149
Leo Galvin (Athlone) 1973 – #1150
Emmet O’Rafferty (Wanderers) 1976 – #1151
Rab Brady (Ballymena) 1985 – #1152
Paul Clinch (Lansdowne) 1989 – #1153
Hugh Dolan (UCD) 1946 – #1143
Harry Greer (NIFC) 1946 – #1144
Jack Guiney (Bective Rangers) 1946 – #1145
Des Thorpe (Old Belvedere) 1946 – #1146
Paul Traynor (Clontarf) 1952 – #1147
John Birch (Ballymena) 1970 – #1148
Frank O’Driscoll (UCD) 1970 – #1149
Leo Galvin (Athlone) 1973 – #1150
Emmet O’Rafferty (Wanderers) 1976 – #1151
Rab Brady (Ballymena) 1985 – #1152
Paul Clinch (Lansdowne) 1989 – #1153
Brian O’Driscoll names his 5 toughest opponents – includes two England legends
5. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
Known initially more for his braided hair and eyeliner, he added passing and kicking to his raw line-breaking power to become one of the great centres, capping his Test career with that superb World Cup final try.
Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Same height as me [5-foot-11] and still 16-stone. Probably the most complete centre in the modern game."
4. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
Nicknamed The Snake because of his ability to slither through the smallest of gaps and strike with a sudden burst of speed. Brought fluidity to the All Blacks midfield with his intelligent passing and vision.
Brian O'Driscoll SAID: “I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel."
3. Richard Hill (England)
The ultimate players’ player. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner.
Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Richard Hill, England No.6 that won the World Cup in 2003. He was a brilliant teammate but he made that team tick, he was the unsung hero in that world cup win. He was hard! I always liked playing with guys that were nails in the team, that really stood up and never took a backwards step."
2. Yannick Jauzion (France)
The 73-cap France international was a member of the Toulouse team that reached the Heineken Cup final in 2003, 2004 and 2005, winning in 2003 and 2005. The centre was named as the man of the match in the 2005 Heineken Cup Final as Toulouse defeated Stade Français.
Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Jauzion was just incredible and was so hard to stop, with his offloading ability. France built so much off and around him. 6-foot-4 and probably 17-stone."
1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
WIlkinson garnered 1,246 during his 97 caps for England and the Lions. His finest hour, of course, came in 2003, when he slotted the drop goal that won the World Cup.
Brian O'Driscoll SAID: “Even to just get a snapshot of what his mind works like now and how he thinks about things is pretty eye-opening as to what sort of detail he went into as a player,”
“He’s an out-and-out perfectionist, he just needs that 10 out of 10. I don’t think you ever achieve it and I think he beats himself up about it, but he got pretty close to 10 a lot of times.”
