O'Driscoll picks his Ireland team to face Wales

January 15, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has urged Ireland to pick Tadhg Beirne in the Six Nations opener against Wales next month while also included nine Leinster players in the XV.

Brian O'Driscoll spoke to Off The Ball about his first-choice Ireland XV for the opening game of the 2021 Six Nations against Wales.

O’Driscoll says he will like to see Beirne start in the second row alongside James Ryan.

“He’s probably a bit lightweight for international rugby, but I like seeing him play against Welsh opposition,” said O'Driscoll.

“He played in the Scarlets because he has such a great reputation over there.

“They were sorry to lose him to Munster and rate him incredibly highly.

“I just think he has been very good for Munster. We know about his ability to turn over a ball, but he has improved his work-rate which, at times, has held him back.

“From what I’ve seen, he is worthy of partnering James Ryan in the second row.”

O’Driscoll has backed Andrew Porter to continue at tighthead with Tadhg Furlong in doubt of featuring in the opening rounds of the competition.

There is also a place for Caelan Doris, a young No. 8 O’Driscoll believes could develop into something special.

"He reminds me of a Jamie Heaslip, but he is a better ball player than Jamie was. I think he is so exciting to watch. He was man of the match in few games in November and rightly so.