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Why O'Driscoll prefers 'worthy' O'Brien to the 'X-factor' Larmour
Leinster legend Brian O’Driscoll believes Leo Cullen will stick with Jimmy O’Brien to start on the wing in this Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final in Marseille rather than be wooed by the form of Jordan Larmour in his comeback match last Saturday. The 24-year-old wore the No14 shirt when the Irish province appeared in the 2018 and 2019 European finals against Racing and Saracens and he was the first-choice pick in that position in the three pool matches Leinster played this past winter.
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However, he was injured on URC duty away to Benetton in early March and his ensuing eleven-week layoff resulted in the less-seasoned O’Brien taking over the position and starting the round of 16 double-header versus Connacht as well as the respective quarter and semi-final victories over Leicester and Toulouse.
Larmour made his return to action last weekend, picking up the sponsor’s player of the match award when starting at full-back and generating much excitement for the 30,000-plus attendance when he was running with the ball in a URC derby win over Munster.
However, O’Driscoll doesn’t feel that is enough for Larmour to dislodge 25-year-old O’Brien from the Leinster starting XV that will take on La Rochelle this Saturday at Stade Velodrome, the former Ireland and Lions talisman offering up his reasons why the lesser experienced player is the safer bet for Cullen to go with. “I don’t think so,” said O’Driscoll to RugbyPass when asked if Larmour would squeeze into a starting berth when Leinster attempt to win their fifth Champions Cup title.
“On the back of what I have seen, would I be putting Jordan Larmour in instead of Jimmy O’Brien? I don’t think so. Jordan is an incredibly exciting player and he has got this amazing X-factor, but the consistency, know-how and all-round game of Jimmy have been very, very impressive. It feels inevitable that he will get capped in the summer as well (with Ireland in New Zealand). He probably sees opportunity and links a little bit better than Jordan does.
“Jordan really backs his own personal ability but you have got to take into account he hasn’t been playing rugby for a while. There is an excitement that comes from the freedom that he creates for himself but sometimes I feel that Jordan just misses out on connecting with those around him and sometimes overplays his hand a little bit whereas Jimmy, certainly on the back of the performances I have seen with him in Europe, one hundred per cent is worthy of staying in that wing position.”
However, O’Driscoll would give Larmour the nod to secure the No23 Leinster bench shirt ahead of the current incumbent, Ciaran Frawley, who had that jersey twice versus Connacht and again versus Toulouse. He suffered a facial injury when starting at No12 versus Munster and while he impressed in that 26-minute cameo, giving the assist for Leinster’s two opening tries, the greater position flexibility that Larmour has puts him ahead in that particular selection race.
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“With Frawley, it depends on what you are looking for and see as the possible threat. Do you want a second distributor to come on? Jordan is probably a better sub player than Frawley considering you have Ross Byrne coming on, you can bring Ross Byrne on at ten and have Johnny (Sexton) at twelve or vice-versa, or Jordan on at 13. Albeit unfortunate for Frawley, Larmour is probably a better back three player substitute and I’d probably look at that.”
Providing that Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher and James Lowe are all declared fit for the final following their various knocks versus Toulouse, the other selection debate ignited by last weekend’s URC derby win for Leinster was the return to fitness of Ryan Baird, who had not played first-team since starting for Ireland in the late February Guinness Six Nations win over Italy.
Academy lock Joe McCarthy only made his club debut in January but he was named on the bench for the recent wins over Leicester and Toulouse and O’Driscoll is backing him to retain the No19 jersey even though the more experienced Baird cane though his first appearance in twelve weeks unscathed.
“Ryan Baird is a brilliant athlete but I think they think so highly of McCarthy. I haven’t seen enough of him personally but going on how they rate him, the chat coming out is he has a real hard edge. There is this massive natural ability in Ryan Baird. He can occasionally have a lapse in concentration which would frustrate a coach but geez, there is no doubt that he has phenomenal natural ability. That is a close call but I think they will probably continue to stick with Joe.”
- BT Sport is the home of the European Rugby Champions Cup. The 2021/22 season concludes this weekend with Leinster vs Stade Rochelais live on BT Sport 2 at 4pm on Saturday, May 28. Find out more on how to watch at BT Sport bt.com/sport
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Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
32 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments