Brian O'Driscoll reveals who hit him with the hardest tackle of his career

Rugby News
Wednesday, 19 July 2017 at 15:20
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Brian O'Driscoll revealed that former England flanker and Rugby World Cup winner, Richard Hill, was the 'hardest' player that he had ever played against.
BOD played both with and against the flanker in the early stages of the Irishman's career.
They played with each other during the 2001 Lions Tour of Australia, which as we all know, was where O'Driscoll announced himself on the world stage.
"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."
But when questioned on what was the toughest tackle he ever had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of.
"Jonny Wilkinson...I couldn't walk for two weeks!"

JOIN THE RUCK:




Brian O’Driscoll leaves Tom Curry out of his 2021 Lions XV

BACK-THREE

Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Anthony Watson (England), Jonny May (England);
"I'm going to go with Hogg instead of Liam Willimas at full-back, you are not losing a lot either way." - O'Driscoll said on his call at fullback.

CENTRES

Jonathan Davies (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England)
"Garry Ringrose is going to need a huge, huge year but the hard ground could suit him, but I think Jonathan Davies is the man in possession. I think that's working in his favour even though he hasn't shown any form because he hasn't played since the World Cup." - O'Driscoll said.

HALFBACKS

Owen Farrell (England), Tomos Williams (Wales)

FRONT-ROW

Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Another Englishman features O'Driscoll's front row with Jamie George joining Rory Sutherland and Tadhg Furlong with Ellis Genge mentioned as a player that 'will push' Sutherland for a spot in the side.

SECOND-ROW

James Ryan (Ireland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
O'Driscoll picked fell countryman James Ryan to partner Alun Wyn Jones. He went on to say that he did question whether Jones was capable of delivering in South Africa but said "I know the warrior that's in him, the fitness animal he is, the appetite he has for work so I think he'll still be able to piece himself together."

BACK-ROW

Maro Itoje (England), Sam Underhill (England), Billy Vunipola (England)
"The back row aside from Billy is very difficult, I'm going to go from a size aspect and it makes another decision easier. I'm going to go with Maro Itoje at six. That size will matter, particularly against South Africa who we have seen decimate teams physically.
"You look at Pieter Steph du Toit playing at six, you have got to match him, Itoje is someone who is capable of doing that."
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