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History will vindicate Warren Gatland’s controversial decision to select Jonathan Davies for the third and deciding Test of the Lions series against Australia last year.
Davies had a storming game and the Lions won a resounding victory to claim the series.
Nevertheless, the phrase “In Bod we trust” has almost become a cliché in Ireland. It refers to Brian O’Driscoll.
The consummate professional will this weekend break George Gregan’s world record of 139 Test caps.
The Dublin-born centre burst onto the scene in 1998, helping Ireland win the IRB under-19 World Championship.
A year later when he claimed his first Test cap, aged 20, Ireland was thumped 46-10 by Australia.
O’Driscoll did enough to earn selection for the 1999 World Cup, where he played all four games and scored the first of a record 47 tries against the USA.
Yet it was in 2000 that O’Driscoll showed he was going to be a star.
Against France he produced a mesmerising display to score three tries and lead the Irish to a 27-25 victory at the Stade de France in Paris.
It was Ireland’s first victory in France for 28 years.
In 2001, O’Driscoll was a standout for the Lions on the acrimonious tour to Australia.
He scored one of the great tries in the first Test in Brisbane.
In 2002 he became Ireland’s captain for the first time, though he didn’t take on the role full-time until Keith Wood’s retirement in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2007, Ireland won three triple crowns in four years – and in the last of those years O’Driscoll broke Wood’s captaincy record of 36 Tests. Ireland had only won three triple crowns in the previous 54 years.
O’Driscoll was named as the player of the Six Nations in both 2006 and 2007.
O’Driscoll’s play in this period was characterised by incisive thinking, superior anticipation, searing pace and swift footwork. He might have been the best attacking centre the game has seen.
Unfortunately, O’Driscoll was injured in the 2007 World Cup. Indeed, O’Driscoll’s body has been battered by his lengthy career, as pictures published in the Daily Mail show.
However O’Driscoll has remodeled his game. He has become fierce, self-assured, tough and influential competitor. His distribution and organisational skills on defence are still world class.
In 2009 he led Ireland to their first Grand Slam in 61 years, willing himself to score a try in the deciding game against Wales.
At domestic level he has been an absolute champion, winning three Heineken Cups with Leinster.
In 2013 he made his fourth trip as a British and Irish Lion. When he wasn’t selected for the third Test, even Hitler was angry!
In Bod we trust!
Brian O’Driscoll’s captaincy record
Played: 84
Won: 52
Lost: 31
Drawn: 1
Winning percentage 62%
Ireland record since O’Driscoll’s debut
Played: 166
Won: 96
Lost: 66
Drawn: 4
Winning percentage 58%
Ireland record before O’Driscoll’s
Played: 472
Won: 172
Lost: 273
Drawn: 27
Winning percentage: 36%
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.