Ireland
'O'Driscoll would make a great coach'
ESPN Staff
March 17, 2014
Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll receives a hero's welcome back in Dublin, Ireland, March 16, 2014
Brian O'Driscoll received a hero's welcome back in Dublin © Getty Images
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Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has tipped Brian O'Driscoll to be a success in coaching if he goes down that route.

O'Driscoll finished his 15-year Ireland career on the perfect note on Saturday as he helped guide his team to their first Six Nations title since 2009. O'Driscoll still has silverware to chase with Leinster but talk is already turning to what he will do next.

He has already tried to play down a quick-fire move into management, but Ireland head coach Schmidt remains confident O'Driscoll has all the qualities for success.

"I think he'd be good at whatever he does, in the short term that's probably house husband, but in the long term I think he'd make a great coach," said Schmidt. "He's intelligent, he's got great values, and he is hard-working, he's a great role model for people and he knows the game inside-out. Certainly I've learned a lot from him."

Schmidt said he has no plans to try to draw O'Driscoll into his coaching staff for Ireland's assault on the 2015 World Cup. Schmid added: "To be honest at the moment our coaching team is functioning really well.

"I haven't really thought about that, so I'll think about it and come back to you."

Talk has already turned to further honours for this bunch of players with flanker Chris Henry talking up their chances of making a dent in the World Cup but Schmidt has emphasised that the current group are not untouchable and he is open to changing the line-up.

"I suppose we've just got to make sure our players maintain the standards they've set," said Schmidt. "They will go back to their provinces, roll their sleeves up, we are very open selection-wise, and there's an expectation that they will continue the form they have shown over the last eight weeks . "I think it was even evident on Friday night, it was great to see Paddy Jackson out there at Ravenhill, scoring a couple of tries and Tommy doing the same thing. Those guys will keep pressure on the guys who have numbers one to 15."

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