Brian O’Driscoll threatens English rivals – Ireland v England build up, Six Nations Preview
England, the Grand Slam chasing side has been warned by Brian O’Driscoll and said they ‘aren’t owed anything’. He claimed that his team would be preying on England’s nerves and is certain about the fear that is currently rushing through them.
The newly found combination of England’s side seems to be confident and content about the upcoming clash, but O’Driscoll had something else to reveal. O’Driscoll led Ireland through the 2009 Six Nations with a Grand Slam victory and believes there is a lot
more pressure on the England team then they are showing. There will be jitters creeping through England in Dublin.
England are chasing their first Grand Slam since 2003, where they claimed the crown successfully. O’Driscoll is trying to put the pressure and the heat back on his opposition by warning them that his side would be on a mission to ruin the dreams of Grand
Slam for England, giving a bad ending to a perfect tournament for them.
He said, “I don't know too many of the England side and whether there is a fresh class coming through full of assurance. I'm sure there will definitely be a number of those within their squad.”
He added, “But they will have some nerves like you would for any Grand Slam match and it's our trade to try to bring those nerves out and compound them. You recognize that and if you see a latent weakness you have to go for it. Only because you discover
yourself at the huge event it doesn't signify you are owed anything. You still have to pound it out.”
The history tells us that in 2003 when O’Driscoll was leading Ireland into a crushing match against England, who were chasing the title, Ireland was thrashed by 42-6. The Grand Slam decider match in 2003 will be relived again and the only survivor from Ireland’s
2003 team is O’Driscoll, who won’t be letting the history to repeat itself. Since then he has led Ireland into a brighter era and claimed a Grand Slam too, but this season seem to be comparatively frustrating.
He said, “When you have been victorious in four games your self-belief is plausibly elevated, but the better side won on the day and in going on to win the World Cup they demonstrated the class of side they were.”
Talking about the 2003 clash he added, “We were shown how to play a commanding, leading game. It was part of a learning curve that brought us a Triple Crown the following year and the Grand Slam, although it came after 6 years.”
O’Driscoll believes he has learned a lot since that 2003 Grand Slam decider fixture in Six Nations and will not be making the same mistakes again. On the contrary, the situation back then was different, as England had already knocked on the Grand Slam’s
door thrice and made it in the fourth try.
Meanwhile, Ireland is on the verge of having the worst Six Nations ever if they lose this match. The defeat would not only mean the worst record, but also a lot of aspects to look after, as it is the last match before the World Cup. Once the clash is over
and whether Ireland win or not, there will be a list of amendments to be made before the World Cup shows up like one huge burden on them.
But it is a fact too that Ireland was the only team that had the first victory over England in 2004, when the English side was at its peak after winning the World Cup in 2003. Ireland has won six matches out of seven since then.
O’Driscoll said, “It's always a big match for us because of the record between the countries and because of the expectations of the whole nation, not just the rugby supporters, and any time we play England.”
Keeping in mind the Ireland crushing England in sub-continent in the cricket World Cup clash, registering the biggest World Cup upset so far, we can easily assume that the anticipation and professional rivalry between both the nations is at its peak.
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