Brian O'Driscoll backs Andy Farrell's inclusion for Lions tour

Brian O’Driscoll met Talking Rugby Union in collaboration with Thomas Pink to discuss the British and Irish Lions 2017 tour to New Zealand.

Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll believes the addition of Andy Farrell to the coaching panel of British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand next year will be a profitable move.

Farrell, who is the defence coach of Ireland toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 tour of Australia and had high praises from the head coach Warren Gatland after the team conceded very less points in the 10 matches.

With Gatland set to announce the backroom staffs for the 2017 Lions tour, O'Driscoll, who had worked with Farrell in 2013 Lions tour was lavish in his praises for the 41-year-old.

"Farrell is good man manager and motivator and we got excited when he started talking. Kick chase became exciting," O'Driscoll said.

"And I would imagine if he is brought in the players will continue to be excited. He talked about getting off the line, about no logs on the ground, about making sure you're back on your feet.

"It was all about energy. The way Farrell talks, he really gets into it. And if he was on the coaching ticket I think he would be a really great addition."

Farrell, who was also the defence coach of England between 2011 and 2015 was sacked from his role by Eddie Jones following which he joined Ireland.

O'Driscoll, who captained the British and Irish Lions during the 2005 tour of New Zealand believes Farrell's contribution in Ireland's historic victory over the All Blacks in Chicago was immense and hopes he can carry on for a longer term.

"Andy has been incredibly influential. I have spoken to the boys and the very first session that he took they were incredibly excited about what he was saying, the enthusiasm that he had," O'Driscoll said.

"The boys who were on the Lions Tour in 2013 said he has brought his coaching to another level since then.

"When I was playing we were all relatively organised defensively as a team, but it was probably one cog that we missed because (head coach) Joe Schmidt was taking it and he had everything to think about.

"When you give responsibility for defence to one person, I think it only adds value to the team because they are so focused. You have seen it with Wales for many years with Shaun Edwards.

"Now the players get excited about how their defence goes. Attack for them is an added bonus, but how their defence responds in a game is how they earn their crust."

The recent win of Ireland over Steve Hansen's men was their first over the All Blacks in 111 years and the 37-year-old is confident that they can repeat history at Aviva Stadium on Saturday. However, he stated the challenge will be stiffer this time around with New Zealand itching for revenge.

"It's obviously a bigger challenge because they've poked the bear. The bear will be not happy about that," O'Driscoll said.

"They won't have the unforced error count that they had. They will be raging from their defeat. It's a black mark on (captain) Kieran Read and (coach) Steve Hansen.

"They've got lots of good marks, don't get me wrong, but the first team to lose to Ireland, they won't want to lose back-to-back games, that's for certain."

 Brian O’Driscoll is the ambassador for the new Thomas Pink Lions Collection. In stores now or visit thomaspink.com

Brian O’Driscoll is the club captain of the Pink Lion Club, an initiative of the Thomas Pink Company; the official outfitters of the British and Irish Lions. Follow our ongoing coverage of the Pink Lion Club and the tour, here at TalkingRugbyUnion