World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Outside-centre
1. 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.
One of the most feared players in the game, Brian O'Driscoll has also been one of the most consistent since bursting onto the international stage over a decade ago. The all-time Irish record try scorer, O'Driscoll also led his country more times than any other player and his brilliant defensive qualities and dazzling attacking skills make him a threat all over the field.
The Dublin-born centre made a rapid rise through the representative ranks, impressing at Ireland Schools, U19 and U21 levels - including victory at the IRB Under-19s World Championship in 1998. He claimed his first full cap aged 20 in a thumping by the Australians, later playing in all four of Ireland's games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, scoring his first try against the USA. A hat-trick of tries against France to propel Ireland to their first win in Paris in 28 years in the 2000 Six Nations made him more widely known and won him his first Lions tour.
In 2002 he became Ireland's captain through injury, taking on the role full-time on Keith Wood's retirement in 2004. That year he led Ireland to the Triple Crown and in 2005 led the Lions to New Zealand. Sadly his tour was ended with a disgraceful double tackle from All Blacks Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu.
He continued to lead Ireland by example and with success - three Triple Crowns in four years between 2004 and 2007 - and in the last of those years he broke Wood's captaincy record of 36 Tests. He was also named as the Player of the Six Nations in both 2006 and 2007.
Injuries then started to take a toll and he missed the 2007 World Cup, but when he did play he continued to be a match-winner. In 2009 he led his country to a long-awaited Grand Slam - only their second clean sweep and first for 61 years. His performances also saw him honoured once again with the Player of the Championship award. Selection for his third British & Irish Lions tour followed later the same year before he helped steer Leinster to their first-ever Heineken Cup triumph.
His 100th cap came in 2010 but he was having to increasingly coax his battered body through matches as Ireland struggled to repeat earlier successes. He did lead Ireland into the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup but surgery in the aftermath of the tournament subsequently ruled him out of the 2012 Six Nations.
In 2013 he was overlooked as captain and his international season for Ireland - and possibly career - ended on a sour note when he was sin-binned in Ireland's final day defeat to Italy.
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.