Brian O’Driscoll has revealed that he once believed he might be chosen as the captain of the British and Irish Lions for the crucial Third Test against Australia in 2013, only to find himself omitted from the lineup for that pivotal match.
The legendary Irish player, on his fourth Lions tour, had featured in the first two Tests wearing the number 13 jersey and was anticipating a significant role in the decisive game in Sydney.
However, Warren Gatland’s decision to drop O’Driscoll in favor of a Welsh center partnership turned out to be a controversial move in Lions history. O’Driscoll had initially thought he could potentially lead the team due to injuries to other key players.
The unexpected turn of events became clear to O’Driscoll when Lions assistant coach Rob Howley approached him for a conversation, signaling that it was not going to be a pleasant discussion.
Recalling the moment, O’Driscoll shared with the Telegraph that he had assumed a leadership role might be on the cards due to injuries to Paul O’Connell and Sam Warburton. However, his hopes were dashed when he was informed that he would not be involved in the upcoming match.
Despite having previously formed a successful partnership with Jamie Roberts, O’Driscoll found himself replaced by Welsh duo Jonathan Davies and Roberts for the crucial Test. He acknowledged that the decision was based on the winning combination of Davies and Roberts in the past.
Expressing his disappointment, O’Driscoll mentioned that he had voiced his concerns to the coaching staff but understood the strategic reasoning behind the selection. He noted that his playing style did not align well with Davies, and the team dynamics favored the Welsh pair.
Ultimately, O’Driscoll accepted the decision and acknowledged that his absence from the match was due to tactical considerations and team cohesion, emphasizing the importance of finding the right combinations for success on the field.