Brian O'Driscoll took a fair few major hits during his career but the Ireland legend surprisingly chose an enormous challenge from Wales' Scott Williams when asked for the biggest he ever took during his career.
We were somewhat surprised that O'Driscoll did not plump for the infamous spear tackle which ended his 2005 Lions tour within minutes of it getting underway - perhaps he has blocked it from his memory.
Instead, the Leinster and Ireland legend chose a somewhat unexpected hit from his farewell tour of 2014.
After being serenaded with chants of 'One More Year!' by Leinster fans at the 2013 Challenge Cup final - and by Ireland fans at that year's home game against France - O'Driscoll decided to stick it out and play on for one final season in green and in blue.
The 2014 Six Nations was to be a memorable one for Ireland, with O'Driscoll claiming a second winners' medal, but it was an incident in the second game which stuck with him in an ITV interview this week.
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Welshman responds after Brian O'Driscoll credits him with biggest hit
Speaking pitchside to ITV ahead of Saturday's Ireland v Wales clash, Brian O'Driscoll was asked what the biggest hit he had ever been on the receiving end of was.
BOD named an enormous tackle he faced from Wales' Scott Williams as his choice, saying that the hit was so intense it took him over a minute to get his words out to the medical team that he was simply winded and did not require a HIA:
The biggest shot I ever took was here [the Aviva Stadium] and it was Scott Williams of Wales. He melted me.
He read the play, hit me in my sternum, my whole backside was black and blue from the impact of hitting the ground, such was the force.
He broke his collarbone and I would have broken multiple ribs if he hadn't hit me squad in the sternum. I was very badly winded but managed to carry on.
They were trying to get me off for a HIA. I couldn't get my words out to say that I was just winded - because I was so badly winded!
I must have been down for 90 seconds until I came round and was able to tell them. As he was holding his shoulder I was like, 'see? That's why I can't breathe!'
My whole backside was black and blue, it was ridiculous. The biggest bruise I've ever had.
Williams did indeed come out worse from the tackle, with his broken collarbone seeing him ruled out for three months.
The Welshman responded on Twitter this week after the clip of O'Driscoll's selection was circulated by ITV, saying that his choice made the hit "worth it."
Grade 4 ruptured AC joint and torn deltoid…..this makes it worth it 😂🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/A5yUkiXq49
— Scott Williams (@ScottWilliams_1) February 27, 2024
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