Rugby: Doubt circles 'fading' O'Driscoll

There are rumblings in O'Driscoll's homeland about his capabilities. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It wasn't so long ago that the prospect of an Ireland team without Brian O'Driscoll was enough to send shivers down the spines of those on the Emerald Isle.

The Prince of Centres, not only was he their best player, but also their brains and a large part of their heart.

Ireland without O'Driscoll wearing jersey 13 was simply unthinkable.

But things change.

A short time ago Ireland was known as the Celtic Tiger due to its burgeoning economy.

But the global recession revealed Ireland's banks were over-exposed in property - sound familiar? - and the economy has sunk like a supermarket trolley in the Liffey.

The question has been asked, even among those who have worshipped him from the stands of Lansdowne Rd and Croke Park, whether O'Driscoll still has the goods at this level.

Making the question even more pressing is the emergence of Keith Earls in Munster. The 23-year-old has real quality and put in an excellent foul-weather performance as Munster beat a dreadful Wallaby side this week.

But O'Driscoll's opposite at Aviva Stadium this weekend, Conrad Smith, doesn't buy the theory he is facing a fading force.

"I rate him highly," the 43-test centre said. "When he came to New Zealand this year, him and Gordon D'Arcy were the guys who stood out again.

"I just think he's a class player, someone I've always enjoyed watching. He hasn't always had an easy time of it against us, but that's nothing to do with him."

Smith is perhaps wary of premature obituaries, having heard similar noises a few years ago.

"He's stood the test of time. When we came up here in 2008 they were saying to me, 'Oh, he's past it', and then he had that amazing year with the Lions and he was back to his best.

"I like that in a player, that true quality."

It is an excellent point. O'Driscoll, named Player of the Decade 2000-10 by Rugby World, missed being named IRB player of the year last year by a solitary point to the man who will oppose him as captain this weekend, Richie McCaw.

The fact he has not been as expressive and penetrating thus far in 2010 perhaps points to a man who saves his best for the biggest stage, rather than a player whose mojo has disappeared.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, was similarly effusive in his praise for a man who has accumulated 109 test caps, 102 of them for Ireland. While saying players cannot always be at their best, Smith noted O'Driscoll's game still appeared to be in full working order.

"He's probably the best midfielder in the world," Smith said.

Quizzed on whether that was a statement that pertained to the past rather than current reality, Smith remained staunch.

"If you look at his contact skills, he's just as good as ever, which says he's got power and agility still."

O'Driscoll will be tested this weekend. He's never played on a side that has beaten the All Blacks, one of the few gaps in an otherwise bulging CV.

O'Driscoll might not be able to do much about Ireland's parlous finances, but he can at least prove that reports of his own decline have been greatly exaggerated.