When Brian O'Driscoll speaks passionately about a centre, we listen.
The Racket:
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Ulster fans will have been delighted to hear one of the greatest centres ever to play the game wax lyrical about an emerging young talent that is returning from injury, and that is just what Brian O'Driscoll did when he spoke about Stuart Olding in the build up to Ulster's clash with Connacht on Friday night on Newstalk's 'Off The Ball'.
While O'Driscoll was prompted to discuss the level of talent in both the Connacht and Ulster backlines, he felt the need to point out the potential of a man who would be taking a place on the bench at the Kingspan Stadium when the two sides met:
I'm still really excited, and he's recently returned from injury, but Stuart Olding on the bench [for Ulster against Connacht] he's been very, very unlucky with some serious injuries and he's still only 22 years of age, I think he's a real, real talent and I know Les Kiss is a big fan.
He was a big fan pre-World Cup and I think it was a cruciate that ruled him out of the World Cup, but he was starting to make his way into the international scene and Stuart McCloskey has taken advantage of that but I don't think you've seen the last of Stuart Olding.
I just think again he's a real 'heads-up' player, very different to McCloskey, not nearly the size and capability to get a gain-line, but he visualises and sees where the space is, a bit like a second Paddy Jackson albeit a bit better built.
High praise indeed.
The point that Connacht and Ulster both have ridiculously impressive back-lines was certainly a valid one, and sure enough we saw some wonderfully entertaining rugby from both sides during the game.
McCloskey also left that match with an injury, and was replaced by Olding, so his return to the starting lineup may be happening earlier than expected.
[via Newstalk.ie]
