Brian O’Driscoll On His Lions Bolter & Preferred Midfield Line-Up

Brian O’Driscoll reckons Donnacha Ryan is a player who ticks all the boxes for the Lions this summer.

The former Ireland & Lions captain has also revealed who he thinks should line-up in midfield for the opening Test.

In a interview with ESPN, O’Driscoll reckons a 10, 12, 13 partnership of Sexton, Farrell and Robbie Henshaw is the way to go this summer against the All Blacks.

“I’d go for Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw at 10-12-13. 

“Sexton’s playing so well and there aren’t really any other standout 12s so organically you put Farrell there as you want your best players in the team and Sexton’s one of them and so is Farrell so you have that combination. 

“No.13 is between Jonathan Davies and Henshaw because of the type of games they play and their physical nature but Henshaw’s in better form than Davies currently. Johnny and Owen are similar on a similar wavelength and could be outstanding.”

O’Driscoll also reckons this isn’t really the year for bolters, but thinks Donnacha Ryan is a player that must travel this summer.

“Donnacha Ryan. I don’t think it’s really a year for bolters per se. But if you said Donnacha Ryan down in Munster, they’d say he’s already a shoo-in to be on the plane. 

“I don’t think there will be that many bolters and outside of Munster, I get the feeling not many would have Donnacha Ryan on the plane but he ticks all the relevant boxes for being a really good tourist: a great guy, someone who’s ready for the trenches.

“While he might not be a Test player right now, he would do a phenomenal job against the other sides in New Zealand as you need someone who’s combative and ready for the fight and he would be an excellent tourist.”