Brian O'Driscoll suggests that Joe Schmidt is aware of the criticism from Ireland players regarding his tenure ending around the 2019 World Cup and will use it to gain an advantage in Saturday's final Autumn Series game. Players like Peter O'Mahony and Iain Henderson have praised the current environment under Andy Farrell, while Dan Tuohy described Schmidt as a 'scary character'.
Brian O'Driscoll says that Joe Schmidt will be fully aware of the criticism made by some Ireland players of his final period in charge around the 2019 World Cup - and will use it to get an edge for Saturday's final Autumn Series game.
READ MORE:Brian O'Driscoll tells Cian Healy to play on as prop overtakes Ireland legend's caps record He still remembers the shock on some of the Ireland squad who weren't used to Schmidt's methods. As a Leinster player, O'Driscoll was up to speed. "We were used to it, the pressure at training and the expectation, and the ability to pick things up immediately," he said.
Sign up for our Rugby news service on Whats App Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest rugby news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "And then in 2019, all the talk of number one in the world, won the Slam in '18, building, and then something went awry and it got away from him, it got away from the team and the management.
Speaking on Off The Ball, O'Driscoll recalled the moment early in Schmidt's Leinster reign when the centre dropped a ball thrown at his ankles. Schmidt stopped the session. "He stopped everyone and he said, 'Drico, good players take them'," O'Driscoll remembered. "It was a scene setter for everyone that no-one was untouchable. It was a smart thing to do - whether it was intentional or not.
The Irish Mirror has a new WhatsApp rugby news and top stories service. Sign up here to join the group. You can leave the group at any time. "You'll say you're playing international rugby, grow up, but if the majority of people are feeling that way, obviously the shift has gone too extreme one way and you have to row it back. I think the slide just happened too much in '19 and I don't think it was a very happy environment at the very end.
O'Driscoll, 45, said that Schmidt had a reputation for reading everything written about the Ireland set-up, and that he will know well how the last history of his last year in charge has been portrayed.
Rugby Joe Schmidt Ireland Andy Farrell Brian O'driscoll Dan Tuohy Peter O'mahony Iain Henderson
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