Warren Gatland admits the fallout from dropping Brian O’Driscoll for the summer’s final British Lions Test will put an “extra twist” on Wales’ trip to Ireland in the Six Nations.
The Wales coach also revealed he returned the Christmas card favour to Ireland legend O’Driscoll to extend the running joke started at the Lions’ Downing Street reception toasting their summer Australia tour series win.
Gatland omitted O’Driscoll from the Lions’ final Test in July, a resounding 41-16 win to seal the series, sparking uproar in Ireland and disillusionment from the veteran 35-year-old centre.
Leinster’s 128-cap Ireland fixture later joked Gatland would not be on his Christmas card list, before actually handing the Lions coach a card at the Downing Street meeting in September.
After practical-joke prompting, Gatland said he eventually sent a card back to O’Driscoll – asking the Ireland midfielder to tell the Aviva Stadium crowd to go easy on him when Wales pitch up in Dublin on February 8.
“Donnacha Ryan rang me up and asked me to send Brian a Christmas card, which was a bit of a joke from the Irish boys,” said Gatland.
“So I sent him a Christmas card, and I wished him and his family well.
“I did ask if he had any influence to try to make sure that the Irish fans didn’t boo me too much at the Aviva Stadium.
“I meant it as a joke, it’s water under the bridge now and hopefully everyone can move on.
“I’m really looking forward to going back (to Dublin). It’s going to put an extra twist on the game, people are going to try to make something out of it as they always do.”
Gatland has always struggled to understand the furore around him dropping O’Driscoll in Australia, and now hopes any lingering resentment will disperse.
The former All Black hooker gave O’Driscoll his international debut as Ireland boss, in his three-year tenure between 1998 and 2001.
Billy Bob
Guest
BOD was not over rated. Those bleating about his 'dropping' for the 3rd test should remember that he wasn't a certainty to tour until he toured. Some were suggesting that his greatest value may be in leading the backs in the non-Test matches. That he was dropped was obviously a great disappointment for the man who had toured so often with the lions, and who had never tasted a series victory. But now he has, albeit whilst not wearing a dirty jersey. I don't believe that the centres were the difference in the win. General tactical nous, execution and mongrel up front were far superior to the Wallabies. The dropping of BOD was not the difference. That team would've won with or without ODriscoll. Bu he was going on a bit like a pork chop in earlier games. Gatland may have thought him a slightly weak link mentally. To ease his disappointment he could've read more press about the fact that many thought that he was lucky to be in the squad at all. Not just the indignant fan press in Ireland.
Rugbyfan
Guest
Lion Down Under: I agree with you except on the S'Obrien/Ferris factor. Even with them in the Irish side, I still believe Wales would have the advantage. Faletau v Heaslip is a no contest (just look at the difference Faletau made in the 3rd lions test over heaslip), On the other hand, Warburton v O'Brien is a good battle, but Warb has more to his game. As for Lydiate v Ferris, Lydiate at his best is destructive and has been a rock in the backrow whilst having also been voted by many as one of the best 6's in the world, even by some SH supporters. Apart from Irish fans, can the same be said about Ferris? Essentially, Ireland don't have the balance in the backrow that Wal does and do not have a true number 7 either. That also factors into my beliefs.
Lion Down Under
Guest
Spot on. Sean O'Brien and Ferris when fully fit would push the backrow in Ireland's favour but both are injured for this 6Ns. Jamie "Jimmy White Boots" Heaslip must be the most overrated player in NH history. Can't hit rucks, can't carry in close, can't pick up from the base of the scrum. If you want to seagull on the wing try and get picked as a winger. Wales weakness is that only Hibbard and Faletau can carry first phase ball in close for the forwards, if one gets injured then that will become a big problem. However Gatlandball calls for the centres to do that so with Jamie Roberts back they should get over the gainline more. The biggest problem is that Racing Metro seems to destroy B&I players. So Sexton has been wrecked for Ireland but Wales have had Lydiate and Roberts ruined. Phillips was probably already wrecked before he went there.
Rugbyfan
Guest
Hulkinator: I would argue the Welsh backrow (Tipuric, Warburton and Faletau) is stronger than the Irish and i'd say with Jones, Hibbard & Jenkins present so is the front row. The only positions i'd say Ireland would have the upper hand is at 10 and maybe (unless Phillips picks his game up) at 9. That being said Murray is just a younger version of Phillips, but not as good as he was back then. As for the backs, they are fairly even with perhaps North/ 1/2p being the only standout. I think anyone would agree about North. Anyway to the point, I don't understand all this uproar about BOD being dropped. Gatland used his logic and went with a centre pairing that delivered him 2 consecutive 6N titles, did okay/good at the WC and which has been the most consistent partnership over the last 2/3 years in the NH. If I'm honest, O'Driscoll shouldn't have even been on the tour unless in a coaching capacity. Why do you think Wilkinson never went? He knew he wasn't who he was and it wouldn't be fair on the team. I'll admit that O'Driscoll was once the greatest centre in the world, but not anymore.
Dilzfromhtown
Guest
Odriscoll so over rated late in his career. Garland knew what he was doing. Were better players in the lions
hulkinator
Guest
The decision wasn't vindicated but its fair to say it was blown out of all proportion. The Dublin media and fans are very sensitive towards BOD. Former Munster and ireland prop Marcus Horan is hated by many Leinster fans because he blocked BOD off the ball a few years back when munster were playing Leinster. BOD never complained in fairness but it still leaves a bitter taste in some mouths. The match itself will be tastey. Ireland are stronger from 1 to 10 and wales from 11 to 15, roughly speaking.
Crackle
Guest
Dropping BoD was the right move for the crucial 3rd test. Earlier games showed that while BoD was great on positioning and defence, he was slower than a draft horse pulling a plough on attack. The decision was vindicated by an excellent win, god only knows what the outcry would've been if they'd lost :-: