Brian O'Driscoll Named Five Players he 'Hated' on the Pitch - including two England stars
Rugby NewsFriday, 19 September 2025 at 13:37
Brian O’Driscoll – widely regarded as one of the greatest centres in rugby history – has revealed the toughest opponents he ever came up against during his glittering career.
The former Leinster and Ireland skipper, capped 133 times for his country, built a reputation as a player who thrived under pressure and never took a backward step.
Renowned for his dazzling footwork, razor-sharp rugby IQ and relentless competitiveness, O’Driscoll has lifted the lid on the rivals who truly tested him on the international stage.
From powerhouse defenders to attacking magicians, his list shines a spotlight on the elite names who earned his respect the hard way in the brutal arena of Test rugby.
Still celebrated as a global rugby icon and ambassador for the sport, O’Driscoll’s reflections make essential reading for fans of the modern game – and for every young player dreaming of reaching the very top.
Sourcing several Q&A’s from down the years, including one with the Six Nations website, here are his top five opponents:
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.”
You’d have to be a rugby genius to get 10/10 on this Prem Rugby quiz
You’ll need quick thinking and a solid memory of those who have dominated the scoreboard over the years.
The Rules:
- You have five minutes to name all 10 players.
- No peeking at stats! Trust your rugby instincts.
- Every correct name counts—can you get a perfect score?
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a casual viewer, this quiz will separate the true Prem experts from the rest. Will you recall the names of players whose kicks, conversions, and tries have made history?
Sharpen your memory, get your timer ready, and see if you can rise to the challenge. The Prem’s finest await… can you name them all in time?
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