RUGBY legend Brian O’Driscoll has set alarm bells ringing after Ireland’s final Six Nations Championship clash against Italy.
Ireland closed out their Six Nations campaign with a bonus point victory over Italy after an underwhelming showing.
Simon Easterby’s side were on the rocks in the closing moments of the clash but did enough to snatch a 22-17 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital.
Ireland ultimately ended the tournament in third place as England went on to destroy Wales, while France claimed the title as they saw off a gutsy Scotland in Paris.
The men in green were looking to become the first side in Six Nations history to win three titles on the bounce, but it wasn’t to be.
And speaking on ITV after Ireland’s unconvincing win in Rome, Brian O’Driscoll suggested that a “hangover” from last week’s heavy defeat to France played a major role in their lacklustre Six Nations conclusion.
The former Ireland skipper said: “In a word… no, [that wasn’t a championship-worthy win or performance].
“Last week obviously certainly wasn’t that. I’ll tell you what it does show – it shows how hard this competition is.
“Ireland have gone and won four from five, and there’s every likelihood that they could finish third in the competition.
“I think Dave Flatman got it right in commentary—he said, ‘This was about getting the job done.’
“There’s very little to hang your hat on in terms of quality there… there were errors, a lack of continuity, and timing of runs. They just looked a little bit off the pace.”
The Leinster and Ireland icon also pointed to the psychological impact of last week’s loss to France in Dublin.
He suggested that Ireland’s performance suffered from a lack of motivation once they knew the title was out of their hands.
“They looked a little bit like it was a hangover from last week that totally deflated [them], with the knowledge it was out of their hands.
“They’ve done all that could be expected of them in getting five points, but they only just got it done. It was 22-17 at the end of the game.
“We were all taking deep breaths as Italy got possession at the end. It could have been snatched from them.
“They were better than the scoreline today, but only a little bit.”
