First memory of playing against Brian O’Driscoll?

At national under-18s level at Lansdowne Road. I remember discussing him as the main man to worry about. I don’t recall that game too well, but I do remember our first Six Nations clash, in 2000, which England won well, but in which Brian did a couple of very effective “something out of nothing” moves.

What was he like to play with on the 2001 Lions tour to Australia?

His try in the first Test was something else. What set him aside was the respect Australia showed for him. They were so concerned that it helped provide space for everyone else.

Was 2001 where your friendship started?

Yes. He is a bit different to me, he didn’t seem to worry about too much. We used to play late-night table tennis; not games, just endless rallying with Coldplay’s Parachutes playing, as a kind of soundtrack. I was able to rib him because when he really got into it, he’d grunt Monica Seles-style.

And your friendship now?

When we play or see each other, we have a good catch-up. It’s a classic rugby friendship where you just pick up where you left off. He always texts or calls if something major is up.

What was he like as the 2005 Lions captain?

That was a tough tour for him, but he earned respect throughout. A Lions captain has so many meetings and obligations that you can almost become one of the management. With Brian, it felt like he was another player, no different to the rest of us.

If you could take a part of O’Driscoll, what would it be?

1) His sidestep. When Matt Burke, whom he stepped for that 2001 Lions try, was my team-mate at Newcastle, he used to talk about it. Brian stepped Burkie looking the other way. One hell of a skill.

2) His sense of freedom. Walk down the street with him and he’ll be absolutely himself, he won’t worry about what people are thinking, while I’ll be hiding behind shop doors. This has given him a better ability to enjoy where he has got to in life.

Interview by Owen Slot