Ireland’s talismanic captain has been named as the Rugby Union player of the decade by Rugby World magazine.
The UK-based publication named a 22 man squad – a first XV plus seven replacements – that they fell reflects the greatest exponents of the oval ball game throughout the noughties with O’Driscoll named as the sport’s premier player.
The dynamic centre has had a remarkable ten years in which he embarked on three British and Irish Lions tours – one as captain – led Ireland to their first Grand Slam since 1948 as well as lifting the Heineken Cup with Leinster in 2009.
There are several expected members in the selection such as England’s World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, New Zealand’s mesmerising fly-half Dan Carter and South Africa’s long-serving leader John Smit.
Some of the more surprising choices include Argentina’s Agustin Pichot at scrum-half ahead of Fourie Du Preez – South Africa’s number nine only making the bench – while Schalk Burger and Doug Howlett have been overlooked completely.
Five members of the list – O’Driscoll, Shane Williams, Jonny Wilkinson, Gethin Jenkins and Yannick Jauzion – can be seen in 2010 Six Nations Championship that kicks off on February 6th. Tickets are available to compare and buy at tixdaq.com.
M Muliana (New Zealand); J Robinson (England), B O’Driscoll (Ireland), M Giteau (Australia); S Williams (Wales); D Carter (New Zealand), A Pichot (Argentina); G Jenkins (Wales), J Smit (South Africa), C Hayman (New Zealand), M Johnson (England, capt), V Matfield (South Africa), R Hill (England), R McCaw (New Zealand), S Parisse (Italy).
Replacements: R Roncero (Argentina), M Ledesma (Argentina), S Marconnet (France), JM Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina), F Du Preez (South Africa), J Wilkinson (England), Y Jauzion (France), JM Hernandez (Argentina)
Compare and buy Six Nations Championship live online.
