Brian O'Driscoll, a regular pundit on BT's Rugby Tonight, has now begun making appearances on shows of a similar name, and this week appeared on the BBC Radio 5 Live show Rugby Union Weekly. The show is co-hosted by former England and Irish and British Lion Ugo Monye, and naturally, O'Driscoll was asked to pick a Lions bolter and a captain (he went with Donnacha Ryan and Sam Warburton, respectively).
O'Driscoll was also asked to name his worst ever roommate as a rugby international, to round off the interview.
In doing so, O'Driscoll revealed a hidden benefit to being Irish captain: he didn't have to put up with anyone, and was given a room of his own.
I was lucky enough that, as captain, I got to room by myself for ten years.
He did answer the question, however...and picked John Hayes.
I never liked a front rower, you know. They are a different breed. They tend to stick them together, because you can't trust what state the room will be left in, from a nasal point of view.
I'll go with....I've slagged him before, so maybe I won't be abused by him for this a second time, but I'll go for John Hayes.
He's his own man, too, and there was no telling him what was what. I liked that as his character, but maybe a bit of a harsh call, but I'll go with Hayes.
Elsewhere, in the same interview, O'Driscoll gave an interesting insight into how things are working out for Stuart Lancaster at Leinster, explaining that he met with him
I met up with Stuart a few weeks ago, to pick his brains about a couple of different bits and pieces. It's the first opportunity I've had to sit down one-on-one with him, and understand what sort of person he is. He is incredibly passionate and clear as to how he wants the game to be played, and that brand has been a breath of fresh air to Leinster.
The partnership he has developed with Leo Cullen: there are no egos there on either side. Leo was big enough to bring someone of Stuart's character in, and likewise, Stuart was happy to play second-fiddle behind Leo, and be involved in just the coaching side of things, and not have to worry with the extra-curricular things that often consume a head coach or a ditector of rugby.
Speaking to the Leinster boys, they are loving what Stuart is brining at training: the intensity, the variety, the messaging that's coming. You can see it hugely in Leinster's offloading game, I don't think we've seen that in a good few years.
It's probably even better than in the Joe Schmit days, in terms of the opportunity to throw the 50-50s. This stuff is encouraged, and the only way that happens is through practise in training.
The other aspect which I think has been integral has been their defensive system. I do think a really good team could manipulate it and pull it apart a small bit. Their wingers play aggressively high, but on the whole, I know the lads have been delighted with what Stuart has brought and delighted that he has signed up for a second term.
You can listen to the full interview on the 5 Live website.
