Brian O'Driscoll

O'Driscoll was born and bred in Clontarf in the northside of Dublin to Frank and Geraldine O'Driscoll, both physicians, and barely played the oval ball game until he went to the celebrated rugby nursery, Blackrock College, from the age of 12.{{Cite news |date=9 March 2014 |title=13 things you didn't know- or had forgotten- about Brian O'Driscoll |work=Irish Independent |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/13-things-you-didnt-know-or-had-forgotten-about-brian-odriscoll/30072027.html|access-date=24 December 2024}}{{Cite news |date=16 April 2005 |title=Recognition for O'Driscoll Senior Would Cap The Lot |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/recognition-for-odriscoll-senior-would-cap-the-lot-25990238.html |access-date=12 September 2013}} O'Driscoll's family was steeped in rugby. His father, Frank, played two games for Ireland{{Cite web |title= Brian O'Driscoll's Pride as Father Awarded First Rugby Cap|date=21 August 2023 |url=https://evoke.ie/2023/08/21/entertainment/celebrity/brian-odriscoll-dad-cap}} and a cousin of his father, Barry, won four caps.{{Cite news |title='If you have that suspicion, he's off and he stays off' - Barry O'Driscoll speaks to Paul Kimmage about concussion - Independent.ie |language=en |work=Independent.ie |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/if-you-have-that-suspicion-hes-off-and-he-stays-off-barry-odriscoll-speaks-to-paul-kimmage-about-concussion-31049362.html |access-date=11 September 2017}} Another cousin of Frank's, Barry's brother John, represented Ireland 26 times and was a member of the Lions teams that toured South Africa in 1980 and New Zealand in 1983.{{Cite book |last=O'Driscoll |first=Brian |title=The Test |publisher=Penguin |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-844-88291-5 |location=Ireland |pages=53 & 266}}

As a child, Brian played Gaelic football before switching to rugby.{{Cite news |title=Brian O'Driscoll profile |url=http://www.testrugby.com/Brian-ODriscoll/6389-246d8edf-114b-4ee3-862f-2e3275da8448 |url-status=dead |access-date=10 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003148/http://www.testrugby.com/Brian-ODriscoll/6389-246d8edf-114b-4ee3-862f-2e3275da8448/ |archive-date=3 December 2013}} For his secondary education, he attended Blackrock College, where he played in the Leinster Senior Cup team in 1996 and 1997.

Although O'Driscoll started the first two rounds of the competition in 1996, he was subsequently dropped to the bench for the remainder of the competition, and was an unused replacement in the team's victorious final appearance. In 1997 they were beaten in the quarter-final by Clongowes.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Ruaidhri |date=20 January 2010 |title=Rock of Ages |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/schools-rugby/rock-of-ages-2023552.html}} He was capped three times for Ireland Schools in 1996.{{Cite web |title=Current Ireland Squad-Brian O'Driscoll |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/226_165.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208044750/http://www.irishrugby.ie/226_165.php |archive-date=8 February 2007 |access-date=2 February 2007 |publisher=irishrugby.ie}}{{Cite web |title=Brian O'Driscoll profile at |url=http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/members/index.asp?locID=37&docID=92 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063513/http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/members/index.asp?locID=37&docID=92 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=2 February 2007 |publisher=leinsterrugby.ie}}

In 1998, O'Driscoll played for the Ireland U-19 side, which won the Under 19 Rugby World Championship.{{Cite web |title=Irish Rugby {{!}} Throwback Thursday: Ireland's U-19 World Championship Win In 1998 |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2016/02/18/throwback-thursday-irelands-u-19-world-championship-win-in-1998/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |language=en-US}}

After leaving school, he attended University College Dublin (UCD) on a scholarship and graduated with a Diploma in Sports Management in 1998.{{Cite web |title=O'Driscoll comes top of his class with college accolade |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/odriscoll-comes-top-of-his-class-with-college-accolade-26579832.html |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=independent |date=7 November 2009 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Conlon |first=Tommy |date=30 March 2003 |title=Irish put their faith in Bod |work=Scotland on Sunday |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=374982003 |url-status=dead |access-date=2 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418100344/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=374982003 |archive-date=18 April 2005}}

While at UCD, he first made the under-20 side, before being promoted to the top team near the end of his first year. O'Driscoll made his Ireland under-21 debut in February 1999, and eventually gained four caps.

In 2009 he received the UCD Foundation Day Medal for his sporting achievements.{{Cite web |title=Brian O'Driscoll |url=https://alumni.ucd.ie/awards/awardee/brian-odriscoll/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=UCD Alumni Awards |language=en-GB}}

O'Driscoll made his debut for Leinster in 1999, and under head coach Matt Williams and backs coach Alan Gaffney he became an explosive force in the Leinster backline, forming a highly effective centre partnership with Shane Horgan. In 2001, Leinster won the inaugural Celtic League beating Munster in Lansdowne Road. In 2003, Leinster were heavy favourites for that year's Heineken Cup but were beaten by Perpignan in the semi-finals.{{Cite news |title=Rugby Union European Club Perpignan end Leinster dream |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/2976015.stm |access-date=10 August 2015}}

File:Brian O'Driscoll Leinster.jpg v Leicester Tigers in Heineken Cup]]

Leinster appointed Michael Cheika in the summer of 2005 and despite rumours of O'Driscoll moving to France, O'Driscoll agreed to another year in Ireland. That year, O'Driscoll returning from a shoulder injury suffered on the Lions tour, would assume the captaincy for the season. Under backs coach David Knox and the movement of Argentine international Felipe Contepomi to fly half, the Leinster backline became one of the most potent in Europe.[http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0501/munster_leinster1.html Munster v Leinster: Match Preview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113222448/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0501/munster_leinster1.html |date=13 January 2010 }} RTÉ Sport; retrieved 24 March 2011

O'Driscoll excelled in wins over Bath Rugby and Toulouse away from home. These victories would set up a Heineken Cup semi-final in Lansdowne Road against Munster, but defeat against the eventual champions Munster would deny O'Driscoll and his team a final berth. Leinster were also denied a Magners League title, with David Humphreys of Ulster slotting an injury-time drop goal to give victory to Ulster in their final game of the season.{{Cite news |last=Clutton |first=Graham |date=27 May 2006 |title=Humphreys lands title for Ulster |publisher=telegraph.co.uk |location=London, UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2337493/Humphreys-lands-title-for-Ulster.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2337493/Humphreys-lands-title-for-Ulster.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}

In 2007, Wasps beat Leinster in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. In 2008, Leinster lost in the group stages. In 2007, Leinster reached the final hurdle of the Magners league only to be denied by the Ospreys and Cardiff. In 2008, Leinster won that title ahead of Munster, marking O'Driscoll's second honour with the province, his first and only as captain. {{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

The 2008–09 season marked a shift in focus for O'Driscoll. While retaining the Irish captaincy under new coach Declan Kidney, he handed the honour of Leinster captain to Leo Cullen. O'Driscoll scored two tries in the defeat of English champions London Wasps, however, this victory was followed by away defeats for Leinster to both London Wasps and Castres. Leinster advanced to the quarter-finals to face Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop. When O'Driscoll was absent through injury in April 2009, Leinster relinquished their Magners League crown to Munster at Thomond Park. Against Harlequins, Leinster scored a 6–5 victory, the game infamous for the Bloodgate incident.

In the semi-final against rivals Munster in Croke Park, an 82,206 sell-out, O'Driscoll was awarded the man of the match award (which he later dedicated to the entire team) after an intercept try completed a convincing win for Leinster and sent O'Driscoll to his first Heineken Cup final.{{Cite news |date=2 May 2009 |title=Leinster 25–6 Munster |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8030912.stm |access-date=26 May 2009}} Leinster captured the Heineken Cup against Leicester Tigers on 23 May 2009. The 19–16 Heineken Cup victory included a drop goal from O'Driscoll who was suffering from a shoulder injury.{{Cite news |date=23 May 2009 |title=Leicester 16–19 Leinster |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8057916.stm |access-date=26 May 2009}}

In the 2010–11 season, O'Driscoll won his second Heineken Cup with Leinster. Having suffered a knee injury in a Magners League game one week before the final, O'Driscoll was a major doubt, but he recovered sufficiently and was named in the starting XV.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2011 |title=Leinster 33-22 Northampton {{!}} Heineken Cup final match report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/may/21/leinster-northampton-heineken-cup |access-date=21 July 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In the final held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on 21 May 2011, Leinster came from behind to defeat Northampton 33–22.[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/may/21/leinster-northampton-heineken-cup1 Northampton's recovery overturned as Leinster herald age of the Irish] The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2011

In the 2012 Heineken Cup Final O'Driscoll won his third Heineken Cup with Leinster. They beat Ulster 42–14 in an entertaining battle. Seán O'Brien opened the scoring for Leinster to put them ahead 7–3. At halftime, the score was 14–6, with Cian Healy scoring the second try for Leinster but there was still a lot to play for. A penalty try was then awarded for Leinster but Ulster pulled a try back from second-row Dan Tuohy. Heinke van der Merwe then settled the game with a try for Leinster and Seán Cronin made sure of Leinster's success.

O'Driscoll said in September 2013, that the 2013–14 season would be his last before retiring.{{Cite news |date=3 September 2013 |title=Brian O'Driscoll confirms retirement at the end of the season |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/brian-odriscoll-confirms-retirement-at-the-end-of-the-season-29548078.html |access-date=3 September 2013}}

His final appearance for Leinster, and for any team, was in the 2014 Pro12 Grand Final on 31 May in Leinster's home ground, the RDS in Dublin, in which Leinster defeated the Glasgow Warriors 34–12.{{Cite web |date=1 June 2014 |title=Leinster refusing to let their era end |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-refusing-to-let-their-era-end-30321202.html |access-date=4 June 2014 |website=Irish Independent}} He left the field injured early in the first half to be replaced by Ian Madigan. His final act as a rugby player was assisting club captain Leo Cullen – who also finished his career on this day – in lifting the Pro12 trophy{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ESPN |title=Leinster pay tribute to talisman O'Driscoll |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2013-14/rugby/story/227897.html |website=ESPN scrum}}{{Cite web |date=29 May 2014 |title=Brian O'Driscoll's 10 most memorable moments in a Leinster jersey |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/brian-odriscolls-10-most-memorable-moments-in-a-leinster-jersey-30314569.html |access-date=30 May 2014 |website=Irish Independent}}

File:Ireland vs Georgia, Rugby World Cup 2007 What's the Plan Boss.jpg during the 2007 Rugby World Cup]]

In 1999, O'Driscoll was selected for the senior squad and was on the bench for a match against Italy, although he did not play. He won his first Test cap at age 20 on 12 June 1999 in a 46–10 loss to Australia in Brisbane as part of the tour of Australia. O'Driscoll played for Ireland before he played for the senior Leinster team.

In 2000, O'Driscoll scored a Hat-trick of tries in a Six Nations Championship victory against France in Paris, propelling Ireland to their first win in Paris since 1972.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2000 |title=Irish verve and vitality carves out famous win |url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/rugby/6nations/0319/sn1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819021454/http://www.ireland.com/sports/rugby/6nations/0319/sn1.htm |archive-date=19 August 2000 |access-date=13 June 2011 |website=Irish Times}}

O'Driscoll's popularity in Ireland was expressed by supporters wearing T-shirts bearing the motto "In BOD We Trust".{{Cite web |title=World Cup stars to watch out for O'Driscoll, the green giant |url=http://www.france2007.fr/rugby_article.php?id_rubrique=4&id_article=419&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123100447/http://www.france2007.fr/rugby_article.php?id_rubrique=4&id_article=419&lang=en |archive-date=23 November 2006 |access-date=2 January 2007 |publisher=Rugby World Cup Limited}} In 2002, O'Driscoll was handed the captaincy for the first time in Ireland's 18–9 win over Australia, the first Irish victory over the Wallabies since 1979.{{Cite web |title=Ireland v Australia – Head to Head Statistics |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/18104_18118.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118082134/http://www.irishrugby.ie/18104_18118.php |archive-date=18 November 2009 |publisher=irishrugby.ie}} In 2003, following the international retirement of long-time Ireland captain Keith Wood, O'Driscoll was awarded the captaincy on a permanent basis. In that year, O'Driscoll led Ireland to second place in the Six Nations Championship. This was followed by Triple Crowns in 2004 (Ireland's first crown since 1985), 2006 and 2007. In 2004, O'Driscoll captained Ireland to a 17–12 victory over South Africa, the first Irish win over the Springboks since 1965.{{Cite web |title=Ireland v South Africa – Head to Head Statistics |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/18104_18120.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814144907/http://www.irishrugby.ie/18104_18120.php |archive-date=14 August 2010 |publisher=irishrugby.ie}}

In 2009, O'Driscoll was again selected as captain, leading Ireland to win the Triple Crown, Six Nations Championship and their first Grand Slam in 61 years.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/ireland/5029636/Proud-Brian-ODriscoll-relishes-dramatic-finish-to-Irelands-Grand-Slam.html "Proud Brian O'Driscoll relishes dramatic finish to Ireland's Grand Slam"] The Daily Telegraph; retrieved 24 March 2011[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/mar/22/ireland-rugby-six-nations-grand-slam Finally, after 61 years of pain, let the party start] The Guardian; retrieved 24 March 2011. He scored a try in every match except one, culminating in a 17–15 victory in Cardiff in which O'Driscoll again scored a try and was the RBS man of the match.{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Gareth |date=22 March 2009 |title=2009 Six Nations |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7954758.stm |access-date=22 March 2009}} On 27 March 2009, he was named as player of the 2009 Six Nations Championship, winning the fans' online poll.{{Cite news |date=27 March 2009 |title=O'Driscoll wins top player award |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/7968575.stm |access-date=30 March 2009}} In May 2009, he was named the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players' Player of the Year for the past season.{{Cite news |date=6 May 2009 |title=O'Driscoll honoured by fellow players |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0506/odriscollb.html |url-status=dead |access-date=7 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508095619/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0506/odriscollb.html |archive-date=8 May 2009}}

On 15 November 2009, in a 20–20 draw against Australia at Croke Park, O'Driscoll scored a last minute try.{{Cite news |last=Petrie |first=Richard |date=15 November 2009 |title=Ireland 20–20 Australia |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/8361384.stm |access-date=17 November 2009}} The next day, he was named as one of the seven nominations for the 2009 International Rugby Board player of the year, but controversially missed out to Richie McCaw for this title by a solitary point.{{Cite news |date=16 November 2009 |title=O'Driscoll leads IRB nominations |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/8362646.stm |access-date=17 November 2009}}

O'Driscoll started for and captained Ireland for every match during the 2010 Six Nations Championship. He picked up his 100th test cap for Ireland against Wales.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2010 |title=Ireland 27–12 Wales |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2010/0313/262282-ireland_wales/ |access-date=6 October 2013}} He scored his 40th test try against New Zealand on 12 June 2010. He started every match for Ireland in the 2010 Autumn Tests. He played for Ireland in the last four World Cups (17 caps, 7 tries).[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/13120.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=date;template=results;trophy=17;type=player;view=match Player Analysis: Brian O'Driscoll, caps in World Cups], ESPN Scrum, Retrieved 5 December 2012. He became Ireland's most capped player on 26 June 2010 against Australia, winning his 103rd cap. {{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

In the 2011 Six Nations Championship, O'Driscoll's 47th-minute try against England, took him past Ian Smith's 78-year-old record of 24 tries to become the leading Championship try scorer of all time with 25 Tries. The same day, O'Driscoll tied John Smit's International Captaincy caps record of 75.{{Cite news |last=Standley |first=James |date=18 March 2011 |title=2011 Six Nations: Ireland 24–8 England |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9426975.stm |access-date=22 March 2011}}

O'Driscoll was ruled out of the entire 2012 Six Nations after undergoing shoulder surgery. In his absence, Keith Earls was chosen to partner inside centre Gordon D'Arcy, starting four of the five championship games in the position usually occupied by O'Driscoll. {{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

He returned as captain for the tour of New Zealand in 2012 and he also equalled John Smit's record as captaining an international side (83 times) but All Black Captain Richie McCaw tied the O'Driscoll/Smit record during the 2013 Rugby Championship against South Africa and McCaw overtook the record when playing in Japan on 2 November 2013. O'Driscoll was fit to play in the 2013 tournament, but before the tournament, it was announced that O'Driscoll, who had missed the Autumn internationals earlier that season through injury, would not be reinstated as captain.{{Cite news |date=17 January 2013 |title=Brian O'Driscoll 'disappointed' with loss of captaincy |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/irish-international/2013/0117/363190-odriscoll-disappointed-with-loss-of-captaincy}} Declan Kidney named O'Driscoll's Leinster teammate Jamie Heaslip as captain, in his place.{{Cite news |date=17 January 2013 |title=Heaslip will captain Ireland in Six Nations |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2013/0117/363162-irish-six-nations-squad-set-to-be-named}} O'Driscoll still started each game of the 2013 Championship for Ireland.

On 8 March 2014, in his last home international for Ireland, O'Driscoll led the team out against Italy in the 2014 Six Nations Championship and contributed to three tries in the game as Ireland won 46–7, for which he was awarded Man of the Match.{{Cite news |date=9 March 2014 |title='Humbled' Brian O'Driscoll focused on France |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26500107 |access-date=10 March 2014}} At this point O'Driscoll achieved a world record for the highest number of international caps, with 140, overtaking George Gregan's record with Australia.{{Cite web |date=8 March 2014 |title=Ireland 46 Italy 7 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/sixnations/10683814/Ireland-46-Italy-7-Six-Nations-2014-match-report.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/sixnations/10683814/Ireland-46-Italy-7-Six-Nations-2014-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=10 March 2014 |website=Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |date=8 March 2014 |title=BOD's perfect day |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/match-report-bods-perfect-day-30075258.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |website=Irish Independent}}

File:Brian O'driscoll final test match.jpg

In his last international match, the finale of the 2014 Six Nations Championship on 15 March 2014, O'Driscoll and the Irish team beat France in Paris for only the second time in 42 years, crowning Ireland the 2014 Six Nations Championship champions.{{Cite web |title=Games played between France and Ireland |url=http://www.rugbydata.com/france/ireland/gamesplayed/}} In the post-match interview, an emotional O'Driscoll remarked he could not have wished to finish his career in a better way.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2014 |title=Brian O'Driscoll elated by perfect Ireland finale |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26595991 |access-date=12 November 2014}}

O'Driscoll appeared in all three British & Irish Lions Tests on the team's 2001 tour of Australia where he announced himself as a world star with an outstanding individual try in the 1st Test victory at the Gabba in Brisbane.

O'Driscoll was named captain of the team for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. Prior to that tour, he had been named captain of the Northern Hemisphere side for the IRB Rugby Aid Match (a 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami fundraiser) held at Twickenham in March 2005, but was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury, but appeared pitch-side for the match.{{Cite news |date=3 March 2005 |title=North and South XVs announced |publisher=irb.com |url=http://www.rugbyaid.irb.com/News/050303+SL+XVs+announce.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516031028/http://www.rugbyaid.irb.com/News/050303+SL+XVs+announce.htm |archive-date=16 May 2006}}{{Cite news |date=5 March 2005 |title=North 19–54 South |publisher=bbc.co.uk |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4294979.stm |access-date=2 February 2007}}

O'Driscoll's playing contribution to the 2005 Lions ended in the opening minutes of the first Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch on 25 June 2005, when he was carried off the field on a stretcher with a dislocated shoulder just after being tackled by All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu at a ruck.{{Cite news |title=Rugby Union - O'Driscoll injury raises concerns |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4636541.stm}} The independent citing commissioner found that the New Zealand players had no case to answer, and the Lions management were criticised by New Zealanders for attempting to divert attention from the team's poor performance. However, four months later, The International Rugby Board's communications manager Greg Thomas stated "that dangerous tackles like this have no part in the game".{{Cite news |last1=Orlovac, M. |last2=Stokes, J. |name-list-style=amp |date=25 October 2005 |title=No action on new O'Driscoll video |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4376306.stm |access-date=20 January 2007}} Rules were changed to outlaw spear tackles after the 2007 World Cup. Although unable to play, O'Driscoll remained as non-playing captain on a losing tour and only underwent surgery on his return. He then released a DVD entitled Brian O'Driscoll's Lions Diary in which he described his tour experience and his opinion of the events that transpired.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2367251/IRB-outlaw-spear-tackles-after-ODriscoll-injury.html IRB outlaw spear tackles after O'Driscoll injury] London: The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 24 March 2011

On 21 April 2009, O'Driscoll was selected as part of the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.{{Cite news |date=21 April 2009 |title=O'Connell to lead 14 Irish Lions |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0421/lions.html |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422153528/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0421/lions.html |archive-date=22 April 2009}} On 1 June 2009, he was named as captain of the Lions for the game against the Golden Lions taking place on 3 June, in place of the rested Paul O'Connell. He was also named in the outside centre position for the Lions in their first test of the 2009 tour against South Africa, in which he made two assists as the Lions lost 26 – 21.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} He was forced to withdraw from the tour on 30 June before the third and final test due to a head injury and subsequent concussion he suffered in the second test.{{Cite news |date=30 June 2009 |title=Lions lose O'Driscoll for finale |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8126436.stm |access-date=30 June 2009}}

On 30 April 2013, O'Driscoll was named in the squad for his fourth British & Irish Lions tour.{{Cite news |date=30 April 2013 |title=Nine Irish in Lions squad, but Best misses out |work=RTÉ Sport |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/international/2013/0430/388918-nine-irish-in-lions-squad-but-best-misses-out/ |access-date=30 April 2013}} O'Driscoll is only the third player in 125 years of the tournament to achieve this.{{Cite news |date=30 April 2013 |title=Brian O'Driscoll Player Profile |work=Lionsrugby.com |url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/2013tour/squad.php?player=440&includeref=dynamic |access-date=30 April 2013}} The tour commenced on Saturday 1 June 2013 when the Lions beat the Barbarians at the Hong Kong Stadium. He was selected at outside centre for the first two tests of the tour. He was controversially dropped from the squad for the final test, which the Lions won by 41 points to 16.{{Cite news |last=Pickup |first=Oliver |date=3 July 2013 |title=dropping of Brian O'Driscoll hands Australia series, says Wallabies legend David Campese |work=Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/10156738/Lions-2013-dropping-of-Brian-ODriscoll-hands-Australia-series-says-Wallabies-legend-David-Campese.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 July 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/10156738/Lions-2013-dropping-of-Brian-ODriscoll-hands-Australia-series-says-Wallabies-legend-David-Campese.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}

O'Driscoll has appeared three times for the invitational Barbarians rugby team: against South Africa on 10 December 2000, against Scotland on 22 May 2004, and against England on 30 May 2004. Against South Africa, O'Driscoll scored his only try as a part of the Barbarians team.Barbarians Player Archive – B.G. O'Driscoll [http://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/archive/profile/2510/b-g-odriscoll] Retrieved 5 November 2011

In 2001, 2002 and 2009, O'Driscoll was nominated for the IRB World Player of the Year. In 2001, he lost out to his Irish teammate Keith Wood; in 2002, to Fabien Galthié; and, in 2009, when widely regarded as the favourite for the award, to Richie McCaw by a solitary point, with one judge, who would otherwise have given O'Driscoll the award, citing a flawed voting system.{{Cite news |last=Oreilly |first=Peter |date=20 December 2009 |title=Brian O'Driscoll was one of the men who showed Ireland the way |work=Times Online |location=London |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/rugby_union/article193316.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=20 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809141045/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/rugby_union/article193316.ece |archive-date=9 August 2016 |quote=Captain has led Irish rugby through the decade with an unflinching purpose and self-assurance}}

O'Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/mar/27/brian-odriscoll-ireland-six-nations-award Brian O'Driscoll named Six Nations player of the tournament] The Guardian Retrieved 21 March 2011

In 2007, former England centre and captain Will Carling published his list of the '50 Greatest Rugby players' in The Daily Telegraph, and ranked O'Driscoll the tenth greatest player of all time.{{Cite news |date=13 August 2007 |title=Will Carling – My Top 50 Rugby players |work=The Telegraph |location=London, UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/2320582/Will-Carling-My-50-top-rugby-players.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 November 2009 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/2320582/Will-Carling-My-50-top-rugby-players.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}

In summer 2008, he received the Dubliner of the Year Award from The Dubliner magazine. In January 2010, he was voted World Rugby Player of the Decade (2000–09) by the magazine Rugby World.{{Cite news |last=Berkeley |first=Geoff |date=6 January 2010 |title=Brian O'Driscoll named player of the decade |work=Times Online |location=London |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6977699.ece |access-date=6 January 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

O'Driscoll has received Honorary Doctorates from Dublin City University in 2013,{{Cite news |last1=Byrne |first1=Cormac |last2=Blake Knox |first2=Kirsty |date=13 November 2013 |title='Call me Dr BOD' - Rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll receives Doctorate from DCU |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/call-me-dr-bod-rugby-legend-brian-odriscoll-receives-doctorate-from-dcu-29751438.html |access-date=11 December 2017}} Queen's University Belfast in 2014,{{Cite web |date=10 December 2014 |title=Irish rugby star receives honorary degree from Queen's University |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30407725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211102545/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-30407725 |archive-date=11 December 2014 |publisher=BBC.co.uk}} and Trinity College Dublin in 2017.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2017 |title=Brian O'Driscoll among honorary degrees awarded at TCD |publisher=RTÉ News |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2017/1208/926029-trinity-honorary-degrees/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211103544/https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2017/1208/926029-trinity-honorary-degrees/ |archive-date=11 December 2017}}

O'Driscoll was in a long-term relationship with model and Xpose presenter Glenda Gilson for a number of years until they split up in 2005. In his autobiography he reveals that he received some playful teasing over the relationship from his teammates.{{Cite news |date=25 October 2014 |title=The strife of Brian: I was mocked for dating Barack Obama, says BOD |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/brian-odriscoll-book-reveals-slagging-over-glenda-gilson/ |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915161817/http://evoke.ie/showbiz/brian-odriscoll-book-reveals-slagging-over-glenda-gilson |archive-date=15 September 2017}}

O'Driscoll married actress Amy Huberman in July 2010 in Lough Rynn Castle.{{Cite news |last=Roisin Ingle |date=2 July 2010 |title=Irish rugby captain O'Driscoll marries |work=Irish Times |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0702/breaking47.html |access-date=2 July 2010}} Their first child, a daughter named Sadie, was born just hours before a Six Nations clash with England on 10 February 2013.{{Cite news |date=10 February 2013 |title=Baby girl for O'Driscoll and DiCaprio |work=Irish Times |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2013/0210/1224329891600.html |access-date=10 February 2013}} Their second child, a son named Billy, was born on 20 November 2014.{{Cite web |date=21 November 2014 |title=Billy becomes second child of Brian and Leo |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/billy-becomes-second-child-of-brian-and-amy-30762057.html |access-date=21 November 2014 |website=Irish Independent}}{{Cite news |date=20 November 2014 |title=It's another BOD! Rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll and actress Amy Huberman have welcomed a baby boy |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/amy-huberman-gives-birth-baby-boy-billy/ |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203120134/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/amy-huberman-gives-birth-baby-boy-billy/ |archive-date=3 February 2015}}{{Cite news |date=24 November 2014 |title=On cloud nine! Amy Huberman & Brian O'Driscoll's enthusiastic tweets after welcoming baby Billy O'Driscoll |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/baby-billy-odriscoll/ |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915204000/http://evoke.ie/showbiz/baby-billy-odriscoll |archive-date=15 September 2017}}{{Cite news |date=21 November 2014 |title=Champagne, flowers & teddy bear! Visitors line out to see the new Billy O'Driscoll |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/coffee-and-flowers-for-billy-odriscolls-proud-parents/ |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915163334/http://evoke.ie/showbiz/coffee-and-flowers-for-billy-odriscolls-proud-parents |archive-date=15 September 2017}} Their third child Ted was born on 28 December 2020.

He has published one book, A Year in the Centre (2005), a memoir of a year as a professional rugby player. A biography called In BOD We Trust, by Marcus Stead was published in March 2008. A revised and extended version of Stead's book was published in August 2011, Brian O'Driscoll: The Biography. In February 2011, O'Driscoll and his wife were invited to the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton,{{Cite news |date=24 February 2011 |title=Royal wedding: Brian O'Driscoll and winvited |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12565232 |access-date=24 February 2011}} but only Huberman attended, because of his club team's (Leinster) preparation for their Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse the day after the wedding.

In 2009, O'Driscoll stated in a post-game interview after the Six Nations Championship match against England, "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad." Later he admitted incorporating this quote into an interview was part of a bet with Gordon D'Arcy, and not some impromptu repartee.{{Cite web |date=12 July 2020 |title=O'Driscoll explains his infamous tomato quote which will NEVER get old |url=https://www.rugbydump.com/news/odriscoll-explains-his-infamous-tomato-quote-which-will-never-get-old |access-date=27 November 2020 |website=Rugby Dump}}

On 18 May 2011, O'Driscoll attended a state dinner hosted by President Mary McAleese to mark Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Republic of Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Susan Ryan |date=19 May 2011 |title=President McAleese hosts Dublin Castle dinner in honour of royal visit |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/gallery-president-mcaleese-hosts-dublin-castle-dinner-in-honour-of-royal-visit-139577-May2011 |access-date=19 May 2011 |publisher=theJournal.ie}}

In June 2014, it was announced that he would be joining Newstalk as a rugby pundit and co-presenter on Off The Ball.{{Cite news |title=BOD's got a JOB - Newly retired Brian O'Driscoll swaps his rugby boots to join Newstalks 'Off the Ball' team = 3 June 2014 |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/brian-odriscoll-newstalk-job-brian-becomes-radio-presenter/ |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306111956/http://evoke.ie/showbiz/brian-odriscoll-newstalk-job-brian-becomes-radio-presenter |archive-date=6 March 2016}} He also works for BT Sport as an analyst.{{Cite news |title=Brian O'Driscoll joins BT Sports |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/brian-o-driscoll-joins-bt-sports-1.1868138 |access-date=10 August 2015}} O'Driscoll was part of ITV Sport's team of studio pundits for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, and has continued to work for ITV during their coverage of the Six Nations Championship from 2016 onwards.

In October 2014, O'Driscoll's new book The Test: My Autobiography was published.{{Cite web |date=15 October 2014 |title=Brian O'Driscoll pokes fun at Tesco store that leaked Roy Keane autobiography |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/pic-brian-odriscoll-pokes-fun-at-tesco-store-that-leaked-roy-keane-autobiography-30666700.html |access-date=12 November 2014 |website=Irish Independent}}{{Cite web |date=23 October 2014 |title=11 things we learned from BOD's big new book |url=http://www.thescore.ie/brian-odriscoll-book-test-insight-1740506-Oct2014/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112040917/http://www.thescore.ie/brian-odriscoll-book-test-insight-1740506-Oct2014/ |archive-date=12 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014 |website=The Score}} It was originally to be written by award-winning sports journalist and ghostwriter Paul Kimmage, but the relationship between O'Driscoll and Kimmage broke down after three years of work together.{{Cite podcast |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad |title=Brian O'Driscoll |website=An Irishman Abroad |publisher=SoundCloud |host=Jarlath Regan |date=23 January 2016 |access-date=25 January 2016 |edition=123}} The book won Sports Book of the Year at the 2014 Irish Book Awards.{{Cite web |date=26 November 2014 |title=Book Awards: BOD sees off the challenge of Roy Keane in blockbuster duel |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/book-awards-bod-sees-off-the-challenge-of-roy-keane-in-blockbuster-duel-30777481.html |access-date=27 November 2014 |website=Irish Independent}} O'Driscoll is a supporter of English football club Manchester United F.C.{{Cite news |date=17 March 2020 |title=My United: Rugby Union legend Brian O'Driscoll |work=Manchester United F.C. |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/my-united-interview-with-rugby-union-legend-brian-odriscoll |access-date=4 March 2021}}

In 2018, O'Driscoll presented a one-off television documentary, Shoulder to Shoulder, for BT Sport on the all-Ireland nature of the IRFU, and the use of Ireland's Call as the IRFU's anthem.{{Cite news |last=Cummiskey |first=Gavin |date=2 October 2018 |title=Shoulder to Shoulder: How Irish rugby survived the Troubles |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/shoulder-to-shoulder-how-irish-rugby-survived-the-troubles-1.3648137 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In April 2024 O'Driscoll was fined by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for not disclosing that his Instagram posts were commercial in nature.{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Aengus |title=O'Driscoll served compliance notice over social posts |work=RTE |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0325/1503937-ccpc-o-driscoll/ |access-date=25 March 2025 |language=en |date=25 March 2025}}

{{Main|List of international rugby union tries by Brian O'Driscoll}}

133 caps for Ireland

8 caps for British & Irish Lions.

Correct as of 17 March 2014[http://www.scrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/13120.html?class=1;template=results;type=player Player Analysis: Brian O'Driscoll], ESPN Scrum, 27 February 2013.

• Celtic League: 2001–2002, 2007–2008, 2012–2013, 2013–2014
• Heineken European Cup: 2008–2009, 2010–2011, 2011–2012
• Amlin European Challenge Cup: 2012–2013

• IRB Under-19 World Championship: 1998
• Six Nations Championship: 2009, 2014
• Grand Slam: 2009
• Triple Crown: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009

• British & Irish Lions series: 2013

• World Rugby Men's 15s Team of the Decade: 2010–2019
• 6 Nations All-time Top try scorer: (26 tournament tries)
• 6 Nations Player of the Year: 2006, 2007, 2009
• 6 Nations Top try scorer: 2009 (Tied with Riki Flutey)
• British & Irish Lions captain: 2005
• British & Irish Lions tourist: 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013
• Heineken Cup Top try scorer: 2008–2009
• IRB International Player of the Year Shortlist: 2001, 2002, 2009
• ERC European Dream Team: 2010
• IRB International Try of the Year: 2008 (Australia v Ireland)
• IRUPA Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
• Rugby World Magazine Player of the Decade: 2010
• Rugby World Magazine Team of the Decade: 2010
• RTÉ Sports Hall of Fame Award: 2014
• Dubliner of the Year Award: 2008
• RUWC Pat Marshall Memorial Award: 2009
• Texaco Sportstars Rugby Award: 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2009
• IRPA Special Merit Award: 2015
• VISA RWC Fan-tastic XV: 2003

A Year in the Centre, 2005, Dublin, Penguin Books, Ltd {{ISBN|1-84488-078-8}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110727183912/http://www.penguincatalogue.co.uk/lo/general/title.html?catalogueId=11&imprintId=67&titleId=1349 A year in the extraordinary life of one of the top players in world rugby] Penguin Books

The Test: My Autobiography, 2015, Dublin, Penguin Books, Ltd {{ISBN|9780241962688}}[https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/186532/the-test/9780241962688.html The bestselling autobiography of the greatest rugby player of our time: Brian O'Driscoll.] Penguin Books

• List of leading rugby union test try scorers
• List of international rugby union caps for Brian O'Driscoll

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/historic-players/?PlayGuid=BO547336 Leinster profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150911114519/http://www.irishrugby.ie/squads/index.php?player=4038&includeref=dynamic IRFU profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140306004052/http://www.lionsrugby.com/history/players.php?player=440&includeref=dynamic Lions profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120414231344/http://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/player-archive/profile/2510/b-g-odriscoll Barbarians profile]
• {{Scrum|13120}}

{{S-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{Succession box

| title = Ireland Rugby Union Captain

| years = Nov 2002 – Jun 2005
Jun 2005 – Nov 2005
2006 – May 2007
2008–2012

| before = Anthony Foley
David Humphreys
David Humphreys
Simon Best

|after=David Humphreys
Simon Easterby
Simon Best
Rory Best

}}

{{s-bef

| before = Martin Johnson

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = British & Irish Lions captain

| years = 2005 (Tour)
May–Jun 2005 (active)

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Tour – Paul O'Connell
''active: Martin Corry

}}

{{S-end}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Odriscoll, Brian}}

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