Lawrence Dallaglio makes seismic Ireland claim as Brian O’Driscoll praises Caelan Doris

Patrick McCarry

“I think he’s got an infinite ceiling.”

Brian O’Driscoll and Lawrence Dallaglio were full of praise for Andy Farrell’s Ireland after their rollicking start to the 2023 Six Nations.

Ireland entered 2023 as World No.1 but there were more than a few pressing the case of France, who won the Grand Slam last year. That duel was settled, for now, when Ireland were deserving winners against Les Bleus in the second round of the championship.

“We don’t really do middle ground in Ireland,” O’Driscoll told ITV. “We’re either top of the tree of bottom of the barrel. So we’re enjoying our moment in the sun, at the moment.

“I’ve heard a range of comments – from ‘We’re winning the World Cup’ to ‘Typical Ireland’, ‘Same old Ireland, we’re peaking too early’ or ‘They still won’t get it done at the main event World Cup]’. But one thing you can’t disagree with is that they’ve maintained this momentum that they built from last year… lots of positive signs, tempered expectation, saying all the right things for now.”

Lawrence Dallaglio, who won a World Cup with England in 2003, was even more effusive in his praise for the men in green.

“I’m excited about watching Ireland. They are the number one team in the world and potentially the best Irish team ever. They’ve got the ability to achieve that, with respect to the likes of Brian, Rory Best and the likes of Ronan O’Gara, especially when you start to beat the likes of New Zealand in an away Test series.

“They’re really want to cement that position they’re in with a Grand Slam and give themselves that belief they can go into a World Cup with a tangible reward behind them.”

Is this the best Irish team 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫? 😯☘️@dallaglio8 thinks they could be… 💬#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/SCMsWJGCRh

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 25, 2023

During the ITV pre-match previews, Brian O’Driscoll spoke again of how well Ireland back-row Caelan Doris is playing, and his potential to follow Josh van der Flier and become the world’s best.

“I think he’s got an infinite ceiling,” O’Driscoll proclaimed.

Ireland look on-course for their third win of the Six Nations after running in four first-half tries against Italy, in Rome.