13.  Outside Centre

Brian O'Driscoll

 

He could play both centre positions with ease, however, it was the number 13 shirt that he made his own.  Simply known as BOD he always stood deeply enough for the ball to be received and passed with sufficient time and space, while at the same time fixing the defender- making him commit to him.  Had a knack to know who the ball is to be passed before receiving it.  Sublime passing always gave the receiver options, he only ever released the ball to a player who was in a better position than himself and he was always able to pass before, in and through the tackle.  His reading of the game meant he was rarely forced into passing in a congested area, rather retain possession by either standing in the tackle and passing hand to hand to the supporting players or by going to ground and setting up the ruck. 

 

He could side step, swerve or run straight to give left and right penetrating options.  Blistering speed and strength saw him through gaps to create time and space for outside players.  Acceleration, change of pace or direction created uncertainty every time he ventured onto the pitch.  The running angles and unpredictable lines during set moves enabled supporting players to perform their roles to the optimum.  Creating space by veering (Sudden change of direction) left to create space on the right and veering right to create space on the left was second nature as was acting as a decoy by running lines that draw defenders away from the point of penetration.

 

This living legend racked up an astonishing 141 test caps.  We can only lament at the loss of his extraordinary talents.  Warren Gatland should ‘hang his head in shame’ for not picking BOD in the final test of the British & Irish Lion’s  tour to Australia in 2014.  It would have been a fitting Lion’s departure for a true great of the game.  Alas it was not to be.