Pre-Match Quotes: Brian O’Driscoll

…Brian O’Driscoll at this week’s team announcement press conference at the Killiney Castle Hotel in Dublin…

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL QUOTES:

– ON BEATING ITALY –

“Irish rugby is at a point now that it’s not good enough just to win against the Italians, you can’t under perform and expect to get away from it. At the same time, people lose sight of the fact that we still won a game, a tough game. If we won ugly again, we’d be perfectly happy.”

– ON IRELAND’S POOR PERFORMANCE AGAINST ITALY –

“We went really well in training. The mood in camp was very upbeat, everyone was very positive about it. Maybe, it was a bit of early tournament nerves – it’s hard to know. In addition, the Italians played well, and didn’t really allow us to play. You put all of that together, and, I guess, you get a performance like last weekend.

“Whether that’s acceptable or not is up for debate. We certainly expect a big improvement this weekend. We are going to have to push our performance up 20 or 30 per cent if we are to live with the French.”

– ON LAST WEEK’S RUCKING INCIDENT WITH FABIO ONGARO –

“Having reviewed it (the incident) on the video footage I thought that it was perfectly legal and the right course of action was taken by the citing commissioner.

“It was all within the rules of the game. I don’t think there was any foul play, none intended. I was trying to get the man (ongaro) off the ball as the referee was indicating a penalty. He was wrongfully there. It speaks for itself, the way that it (the review) worked out.

“If needs be, and there’s a time when someone is on the wrong side and they need to be rucked out, I certainly wouldn’t think twice about it again. It’s an instinctive part of my game. If I was on the wrong side I would expect to be rucked. If you find yourself on the wrong side and you are not moving then it is what you expect to happen.”

– ON FRANCE MISSING YANNICK JAUZION (FRACTURED TOE) –

“When France lose a world class player like Yannick, it’s always a positive for the opposition.

“He’s been the man to pull the strings for them in midfield over the past few years and has shown this season, that he is possibly the best back in the world – he’ll be a huge loss (for them). However, they have huge strength in depth and have brought Damien Traille back in. I know he hasn’t played much rugby this year but we know his capabilities and if he has a good day, you know how good it can be.

“They did make a huge amount of errors against Scotland and never played themselves into the game. I know French sides have often been accused of travelling badly but they’re always a different side when you meet them in Paris. There’s pressure on their team this week, there’s pressure on (their coach) Bernard Laporte and you have a tendency to improve when that’s the case. I’ve been in that situation myself.”

– ON HIS FAMOUS HAT TRICK AGAINST FRANCE IN 2000 –

“It (2000) was a good day at the office. (They’re) good memories but (now) six years ago, back in the archives, and consigned to the history books.”

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