Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll backs Maro Itoje to succeed in ‘next level’ challenge and the three players unlucky to miss out
O'Driscoll Howdens mural
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll spoke to Planet Rugby on Thursday afternoon in front of the 44ft Howdens Lions mural in London. The 46-year-old reflected on the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad announcement that had taken place earlier that day in front of a live audience at the O2 Arena.
Working on behalf of Howdens, the official jersey sponsor for the 2025 tour of Australia, the former Ireland captain and four-time Lions tourist appeared alongside former Scotland great, Gavin Hastings and Wales legend Jamie Roberts as they unveiled a hand-painted tribute to the newly named 2025 squad.
O’Driscoll’s thoughts on Andy Farrell’s squad selection
“I don’t think there were any real shocks in truth,” said O’Driscoll. “I think it looks like a great squad, and of course there’s a few 50/50 calls where people will be elated and some people will be devastated, but you get that on every tour.
“There’s a nice balance of experience and some useful enthusiasm, with the Fin Smiths and the Pollocks coming through and first-timers Garry Ringrose and James Ryan finding a way in where they’ve missed out on previous tours, so lots to like.
“But you always feel for some guys that miss out like Jamie George and Darcy Graham. You think George Ford, almost a Test centurion, and never getting to play for the Lions.”
On those selected for the side, O’Driscoll said: “They’re the ones that have been chosen to peak at the right time in a four-year cycle, so to be the best or second best in your position in Britain and Ireland is no small achievement.
READ MORE: Dan Biggar: Why Elliot Daly’s Lions selection ‘makes a lot of sense’
The Maro Itoje captaincy
“It’s a huge honour for Maro and his family to represent his country as captain, but to do it for the Lions is next level. It’s a challenge to bond everyone and get that cohesion and be a conduit between the players and the coaches, but he has the experience.
“He has tours underneath them, he’s an easy Test starter, he’s got respect and he’s got all the hallmarks that you would connect to the needs of the Lions captain.”
Brian O’Driscoll’s Lions prediction
“I think they’re (the Wallabies) going to be very competitive. People are thinking that it’s a foregone conclusion, but I’m not so sure. I think they will be right in it. Joe Schmidt will have them primed and I fancy they might win a Test. I think the Lions will win 2-1.”
O’Driscoll reflects on his own exit from the Lions
It’s no secret that the great man was disappointed to be excluded from what would have been his final match in a Lions shirt in 2013, but it’s also something that’s not been spoken about too publicly either.
In the conversation held at East Aldgate yesterday, O’Driscoll briefly alluded to his experience, light heartedly poking fun at his former teammate, Jamie Roberts.
“Jamie was brilliant, what a guy to be a centre pairing with. I had such a great time in ’09 with him, and then I started hating him ’cause he was actually the one replacing me 2013 and not Jon Davies,” he joked.
“He’s a really good guy. It was lovely to form that partnership in ’09. He was new on the scene, but we just gelled, running lines off each other, knowing the offload was coming, he was powerful and we had good fun together.”
About Howden
Howden is the official jersey sponsor of the 2025 Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Tour to Australia and will also support the first ever British & Irish Lions Women’s team as the title partner of the Howden Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027.
The partnership reflects Howden’s continued commitment to sport, to the game of rugby, and from grassroots to elite, through the deep expertise and global scale of their Sport and Entertainment division which places insurance for amateur and professional sport and entertainment organisations.
David Howden, Founder and CEO of the Howden Group was delighted to be part of the big reveal, explaining why the partnership is so close to his heart.
“This is a special moment for these players. The pinnacle of their career. Each and every one of them has been on a huge journey to get there. And I want to see others following in their footsteps. That’s why we love supporting rugby at every level and why I’m so proud that the Howden name is on the jersey. I can’t wait for the tour to start,” he said.
