O'Driscoll: 'I don't think you'll see a 3-0 series'

A Six Nations Grand Slam win and Leinster’s European triumph has Ireland in a good place ahead of their Australia series, says Brian O’Driscoll.

Joe Schmidt’s side completed a perfect campaign earlier this year to claim the northern hemisphere’s top prize, before Leinster pulled off a historic double of Pro14 and European Champions Cup triumphs to cap a stellar season for Irish rugby.

Saturday sees Ireland face the Wallabies for the start of their three-Test series in Brisbane, as the visitors look to secure their first win Down Under since 1979.

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And O’Driscoll, Ireland’s most-capped Test international, believes the current crop can take confidence from a remarkable 2017-18 and get the better of Michael Cheika’s men.

“There’s a real feel-good factor in Ireland at the minute, the national team are playing with confidence and the provincial teams are doing well,” HSBC ambassador O’Driscoll told Omnisport.

“This team has gone about ticking boxes of things they haven’t done in the past – they won the Grand Slam, beating the southern hemisphere opposition more regularly, winning a Test in South Africa for the first time, beating the All Blacks.

“Now they’re eyeing a series win in Australia and I think it’ll be another good test to see where they are, being able to travel away from home and play against what will be an organised Michael Cheika’s Australia.

Down Under 2018: Kicking practice with @JohnnySexton @JoeyCarbery @Ross__Byrne & @RichieMurphy100 #AUSvIRE #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/4sWsJhBulf

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 6, 2018

“They’re continually wanting to improve and make sure they’re in a position to peak come Japan next year.

“It’s a hard one to call, looking at past records away from home we don’t have that much of a reason to be exceedingly cocky or confident!

“But the way they’ve played and the strength in depth all points towards very exciting times so I think it’ll be a 2-1 victory one way or the other, I don’t think you’ll see a 3-0 series win for one team or the other.”

Brian O’Driscoll was speaking at the HSBC London Sevens on behalf of HSBC. The title sponsor of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is working in partnership with World Rugby to reach new fans, support the growth of Rugby Sevens worldwide and fulfil their shared goal of helping the sport thrive in the long term.