
Football
Share
Published 16:31 8 Dec 2021 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
Rocky Elsom, Brian O'Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi and Gordon D'Arcy celebrate after Leinster's 2009 European Cup win. (Credit: Matt Browne/SPORTSFILE)[/caption]
"Looking at outliers, if Bordeaux can beat Leicester, and do it again when they get back to Welford Road - they got to the semi-finals after beating Racing, last season. They obviously have something, a team spirit in there, because they haven't got that many superstars... "I'd love to see if Harlequins can convert some of their Premiership form, and their style of play, into Europe. I think that would be a great addition. "You then have Clermont, and you look at the Irish provinces. Ulster are talking about developing. Maybe they need to win a United Rugby Championship and go on from there. I'm not necessarily saying they can go on and win it, but can they get to a quarter or semi-final? I don't think they're a final team, certainly not yet, but a lot of that is stepping stones to future successes."[caption id="attachment_242721" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Caelan Doris and Rónan Kelleher celebrate during Ireland's recent win over New Zealand. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"About three years ago, you heard about these back-row guys coming through. Max Deegan was coming through from 20s, Josh van der Flier was trying to become a main-stay, Josh Murphy too, and all the Leinster young guys. I remember hearing about Doris and someone saying, 'This guy's the best of the lot of them. Just wait for him'. "I think he had quite a bad injury as a young player that kept him out for five or six months. But it was like, wait for this. "He's got the ball-playing, ball-carrying, the work-rate and the handling as well. It's that. It's that skill-set that differentiates himself from other No.8s or back-rowers and serves as his exciting potential. "Now, he still has to do it for a bit - you have to do it for 10 years, or so, to be properly appreciated at that high, high level. But if he can stay in the game and stay fit, I think the sky is the limit as to what he can achieve. Because he looks as though he does have it all."Caelan Doris, Antoine Dupont and Marcus Smith - "He's just got that x-factor" - these are the players that gets Brian O'Driscoll excited. He knows class acts when he sees them.
BT Sport is the home of European Rugby Champions Cup. The 2021/22 season kicks off with a weekend full of games, including Leinster v Bath live on BT Sport 2 at 3.15pm on Saturday 11th December. Find out more information on how to watch at BT Sport bt.com/sport
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
Some huge clashes! The ultimate TV guide for live weekend sport in Ireland is back! It’s another huge week in the Premier League with Arsenal hosting Newcastle, there are a host of massive inter-county championship matches in both hurling and Gaelic football, and there is an intriguing Irish derby in the URC to look forward […]
Football
4 days ago
Huge changes in store as Lions launch bid to tour new countries
This could be massive! The Lions could soon be adding a new country to their list of touring destinations, according to an exclusive report from The Telegraph. The iconic representative team – which combines the best players from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – currently tour South Africa, Australia and New Zealand on a rotating […]
Football
4 days ago
Football
Munster statement defends new coach over historical rape accusations
Football