And on the Eighth day, God created BOD

It's only hitting home now, that we were so lucky to have him on our team. Yes, it was and still is a bit cliché, to say that "Brian O'Driscoll is the best player for Ireland" but he actually is ? Think about his record, captaining his Country, his Province and the British and Irish Lions. Only somebody with a significant talent and gift would be able to achieve this ... As a player he is by far one of the most intelligent and wise players to have played for Ireland, his ability to read the game was second nature to him, being at the right place at the right time was his forte. At times he came in and out of games, but even then he was picking his moments, often coming out on top at heroic moments, having him save the day again and again for his team. It's sad to see him go, maybe not now but it will happen. And my guess is that it'll be when he plays another fantastic match, to go out on a high note, to make it all the more dramatic. He served his country well and is a role model to us all. He as a person is fantastic at persevering, during the 2013 Six Nations campaign, he sustained a concussion,a double head wound and an ankle injury (source; the Irish times) all in his part for his country. He is not only a persevering-heroic-genius-inspiration, he is a genuine down to earth man and that's what separates him from the football superstars. Personally when seeing him pass in the street he has always had the courtesy to smile or talk back to you and that's why in my opinion he is somewhat the people's hero.

- And If your reading this Brian, which you probably won't, when and if you have a son, tell him there's no pressure.

Jamie Heaslip, enough said..

He's a good player, not captain.

Not every reasonably good player makes a successful captain. When a player is promoted to the honor of being that of an International team, they shouldn't exactly look from above and dictate. Brian O'Driscoll is a textbook example of an ideal captain. Being an inspiration to every player. His enthusiasm and understanding of the game was second to none, having a positive outlook on everything he was an inspiration to his comrades. Granted Heaslip has a lot to live up to, he doesn't come anywhere close to that of O'Driscoll. Heaslip hasn't the outlook as a player, he is mainly focused on the forwards and his as negligence leaves his backline flustered as when it comes to decisions being made under pressure. O'Driscoll however had a reign widely over his backs and prepared his pack well, and could tackle any situation appropriately. This has however only come with experience. Both as a player and captain. As his duty has been called it has been time for him to step down and leave his dynasty to someone else. We should have prepared for this though, it was going to come sometime and we shouldn't have been somewhat in denial about it. Preferably in the coming year somebody else will take it upon themselves and conduct the roll well, but until then we're going to have to live with what we have sadly.

Promising players

Leinster A's up and coming players.

In the Leinster squad at the start of the year, a number of players have drifted in and out of the Leinster 23 man squad, replacing another or either being given a chance. Some of the players were given the opportunities to have a little experience under their belt, some really did experience competitive professional rugby and loved it, others not so much.

One player that really did make an impact on their chance was Brendan Macken. He played exceptionally in his matches against Newport Dragons and the Scarlets  (starting both matches). In his match against the Scarlets he intercepted a pass and scored a try, effectively sealing the win with a fifth try for the side. He had a solid performance giving Joe Schmidt a good impression for the future. He will add a lot to the provincial side and Ireland when given the chance. He has however been on the scene for a little while, having his first appearance against Glasgow Warriors in 2010. This was short lived as he then became a solid player with the A side. He did however make several appearances with the Irish u20's (13 in total). He is only young being only 21, he still has time. In my opinion he can makes his way through the ranks pretty quickly. His first objective, being to make the 23 man squad on the Leinster squad, and actually having regular appearances to their matches as a sub. Occasionally playing for the Irish wolfhounds, will add another bit to his career, in effort to make the starting Irish squad in the next 5 or so years. This said, given that Gordon Darcy and Brian O'Driscoll retire he should make the Irish squad for the 2019 world cup.

Is it the ideal time of the season for injuries ?

Is this the right time for injuries ?

I ask this because, if we are going into a 6 nations tournament in effort to win or at least have a positive outcome, we have to have our best players, fit, free of injury and playing consistently well. 

Earlier on this season, there was the Autumn internationals. In Ireland's last against Argentina, with Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris, Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connel and Rob Kearney being some of the most important players on the squad. This didn't make a difference to the score though. (winning 46-24) They didn't interrupt our brief 2 match winning streak. . This was a resting chance for the injured and key players a chance of more time to recover. Club rugby will have to wait, as the 6 Nations will be a bigger commitment. Brian O'Driscoll's expected return is the beginning-mid January. Sean O'Brien made a quick enough recovery from his hip operation to play for Leinster soon after. Stephen Ferris caught an ankle injury in a match for Ulster against Edinburgh. Paul O'Connel is to receive a specialist's review of his lower back injury, in effort to forecast his return to rugby. Rob Kearney missed the whole autumn series due to his back injury. He is expected to be absent from rugby for another month to 6 weeks.

My guess in how we are going to do in the 6 nations will be good, having Wales in Cardiff wont be an easy match however I think, given we have a consistent side, with a strong backline we will win. England at home will not be an easy win. Considering O'Driscoll will be back at this stage, we need an experienced center to contest against Manu Tuilagi . We have to consider that we're very lucky to have them at home. Again our next fixture away is to Scotland, which is lucky as they haven't got a particularly strong or ambitious side. We will win this fixture without a doubt. The next match against France will undoubtedly be the hardest of them all . However we are really lucky again to have it at home. I cant say we will win this however, I am saying we have a chance. The match will be very unpredictable. And Italy in the Olympic stadium will be depending alot on how the previous 2 or 3 matches are played, and players that are injured.