Brian O’Driscoll has revealed that he once believed he might lead the British and Irish Lions in the crucial Third Test against Australia in 2013, but his hopes were dashed when he was unexpectedly dropped for the match.
The renowned Irish player, who was 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 leave him out in favor of a Welsh center pairing turned out to be a controversial move in Lions history. O’Driscoll admitted that he had initially assumed he might captain the team due to injuries to key leaders.
Instead of receiving a captaincy offer, O’Driscoll was approached by Lions assistant coach Rob Howley for a conversation, signaling the impending disappointment. Reflecting on the situation, O’Driscoll recounted how he realized the outcome was not in his favor as he was left out of the squad.
In the match, O’Driscoll’s usual center partner Jamie Roberts was sidelined, leading to O’Driscoll being paired with Jonathan Davies. Despite having previously formed a successful partnership with Roberts, Gatland opted for Davies and Roberts in the center positions.
O’Driscoll acknowledged that while he expressed his opinions to the coaching staff, he understood the rationale behind the decision as Davies and Roberts had a history of success together. Ultimately, O’Driscoll had to watch from the sidelines as the Lions secured victory in the series decider.
Looking back on the event, O’Driscoll mentioned a brief conversation with the coaches where he questioned the timing of his media appearances in light of his exclusion from the team. Realizing he was not even considered for a bench position, O’Driscoll accepted the situation, acknowledging that his playing style did not align well with Davies’ in the absence of Roberts.
The experience highlighted to O’Driscoll the importance of cohesive partnerships on the field, emphasizing the synergy needed for success in high-stakes matches.