Keen to put the record straight

John O'Sullivantalks to Brian O'Driscoll about Leinster's determination to avenge the opening defeat by London Irish

WHAT’S A giddily? Apparently it is a word coined by former Leinster backs’ coach David Knox for the type of pass that Shane Horgan supplied for Brian O’Driscoll’s bonus point-clinching try during Saturday’s Heineken Cup victory over Brive at the RDS.

The origins of the word may be traced to Australian rugby league. The spelling is unknown and therefore phonetic: one other thing about a giddily is that the Leinster players have a competition to see who can throw the most in a season.

O’Driscoll explained all this, smiling as he recalled the aesthetic splendour of Horgan’s reverse pass (giddily) that flummoxed the Brive defence and allowed the Ireland captain to once again underline his uncanny sense of theatre on a rugby pitch.

“That was right on the money in fairness to him. I thought it was coming to be honest when I ran around. I thought he’d seen me and then I thought he’d left it too late. He just did it perfectly because both defenders completely bought it and it left me not having to break stride at all. It was a rehearsed play with a twist.”

So does Horgan earn extra points for the revolutions? O’Driscoll continued: “That brings it to the next level. The fact it was like a spinning top by the time I caught it, was pretty sweet, made it much easier to catch. His part was off the cuff.

“Sometimes it’s about getting second touches. I wasn’t involved in the first play but you’re always trying to get around in support.”

On a less frivolous note the fact that Leinster were able to conjure a definitive moment in their qualification journey through the pool 40 seconds from the end of the match underlines not alone talent but maturity and self-belief.

O’Driscoll pointed out: “We weren’t panicking. We realised it wasn’t really happening for us. That does show a maturity. We always knew there would be an opportunity. When we got that last scrum, this is our chance to get our fourth try and if we don’t get it now, it’s not going to happen. The fact we put together a good play, an incredible piece of skill from Shaggy to get it out of the tackle and a canter in.

“But it was (about) a good scrum, balls were out in front, passes out in front. To be able to be that clinical in the 79th minute definitely does show that we have come a long way. The more you’re in those very tight games, when you need to push it and find yourself needing to produce, pushing yourself, the better chance you have of doing it next time around.”

On Saturday they face London Irish at Twickenham knowing their hosts must win but may also possibly require a four-try bonus point to advance to the knock-out phase of the tournament. Leinster’s current total may suffice but as far as they’re concerned it’s idle conjecture. The reigning champions are not looking to limp into the quarter-finals; O’Driscoll and his cohorts possess loftier goals.

“I think as professional rugby players you just want to win the rugby game irrespective of how the standings are in the pool. We want to go and win the game.

“We were disappointed with our performance back in October. Saturday is an opportunity to put that right. There is also the small matter of securing a home draw.

“The supporters have been brilliant for us; the supporters have been incredible over the last couple of years. I’d say our support has even grown since last year’s win. There have definitely been some diehards who have been there for a long time. And we owe them for their constant travelling, the money they spend on us. It would be great to get them one home quarter-final so they could stay at home for one week at least.

“I don’t think it (a home draw) would make it much easier. When you get to the knock-out stages it becomes considerably harder. You saw from last year when we went away to Harlequins and won by just a point. You see the margins of victories in those games and it rarely goes beyond one score. From the point of view of playing at home or away, you’d jump at playing at home every time.”

You never know there might be a giddily or two throw in for good measure.