NO one is immune from their mam or dad embarrassing them during a childhood match – not even Brian O’Driscoll.
While debating the merits of Ireland going with Sam Prendergast over Jack Crowley against England, BOD had to relive a moment from when he was younger than both of them.
O’Driscoll stated playing at 10 requires a different sort of fitness than 13[/caption]
Andy Dunne’s career was cut short by injury with him forced into retirement at the age of 30[/caption]
https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1885361146884161646
It was former Leinster and international teammate Andy Dunne who…teed things up while the pair were guests at an Off the Ball roadshow.
Moments earlier O’Driscoll had rubbished his own ability to ever play fly-half as he cited ‘kicking game…passing game…running game’ as just a few of the traits he struggled with.
When it was Dunne’s turn to chime in he insisted the 46-year-old could convert a penalty in a pinch…with him often roared on by his father.
Dunne remembered: “He’s being a bit harsh on his kicking game because I remember an Ireland Under 18s game where they couldn’t establish who was going to kick the penalties beforehand.
“Because lots of lads were kicking for their schools teams or club teams.
“So we had a little kicking competition before we played Scotland.
“It was literally whomever got the most got to kick on matchday and Brian got the most.
“Brian got the most, although he was actually brutal, but he got the most so he got to kick.
“I always remember you taking one by the sideline – and his dad Frank O’Driscoll has a famously loud voice.
“You could’ve had 50,000 people there and you’d still hear Frank.
“So Brian nails it and Frank goes ‘Just like a 9-iron Briano!’”
Through a grimace, Brian did add to the story: “We’ll be out on a night out and our pal Ciaran Scally will actually just shout out of the blue ‘Like a 9-iron Briano!’…25 years later.”
Here’s hoping Prendergast and Crowley, assuming he comes on at some stage, have every shot in their bag at their disposal this afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.
CAELAN’S CALL TO ARMS
At the Six Nations launch in Rome new captain Caelan Doris previewed the initial challenge in front of them before taking a wider view at the tournament as a whole.
He underlined: “Each game, you can’t take anything for granted. For us, we’ve got England first up and it’s hard to look beyond that for now.
“But in terms of our preparation and our mindset generally, it’s one of needing to evolve and needing to improve collectively. It’s an exciting prospect but it’s game by game.”
Ireland are the slight favourites with the bookies, marginally ahead of France and Doris added: “It’s still just being aware of how competitive it is.
“And it’s about improving and preparing as best as possible, so I don’t think we take that into account too much.
“There’s an awareness that if we don’t keep improving, someone else will take the reign.”
With Andy Farrell on sabbatical to lead the Lions Tour this summer, Simon Easterby has stepped up to be interim head coach.
