Brian O\u2019Driscoll has opened up about the toughest adversaries he faced during his illustrious career with Ireland and the Lions.<\/p>\n
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local\u00a0Greene King sports pub<\/a>.<\/p>\n The iconic Leinster captain, who amassed 133 Test caps and led Ireland with distinction, never flinched from a physical or mental contest. From the intensity of Six Nations clashes to the unforgiving battles of southern hemisphere tours, O\u2019Driscoll consistently rose to rugby\u2019s biggest occasions.<\/p>\n Renowned for his dazzling footwork, sharp rugby intellect and relentless competitive drive, the former Ireland skipper has now named the rivals who tested him more than any others.<\/p>\n His selections shine a spotlight on the unforgiving arena of Test rugby \u2013 where midfield collisions are ferocious, space is scarce and reputations are forged in split seconds. From bone-rattling enforcers to elusive playmakers who were impossible to pin down, these are the men who earned O\u2019Driscoll\u2019s respect the hard way.<\/p>\n Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Still celebrated today as both a rugby ambassador and role model, O\u2019Driscoll\u2019s reflections are essential reading for fans who followed his career \u2013 and for anyone aspiring to step into his legendary boots.<\/p>\n Sourcing several Q&A\u2019s from down the years, including one with the Six Nations website<\/a>, here are his top five opponents:<\/p>\n 5. Ma\u2019a Nonu (New Zealand)<\/p>\n A dynamic centre who combined brute strength with incredible skill. Nonu\u2019s line breaks were legendary, and his offloading game could turn a simple play into a highlight reel. <\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Famous for his braided hair and eyeliner, he wasn\u2019t just about style\u2014he scored a superb World Cup final try in 2011. Standing 5\u201911\u201d and weighing 16 stone, he was as tough to stop as he was hard to ignore.<\/p>\n Brian O\u2019Driscoll SAID: \u201cSame height as me [5-foot-11] and still 16-stone. Probably the most complete centre in the modern game.\u201d<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n