I can still do top job say BoD
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:48
Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll says he still has the ambition to continue captaining the Ireland international team even though he admits to having enjoyed not having to fulfill the role for his province this season.
The two-time Lions tourist stepped down as captain of Leinster at the start of the season, with Leo Cullen taking over the reigns, and the speculation has been that new Ireland boss Declan Kidney would do the same.
O’Driscoll though was adamant that he still felt the necessary passion to do the job at the highest level and was hopeful that Kidney would allow him the opportunity to continue in the role for the upcoming November test series.
Speaking to Setanta Sports the No. 13 said: "I'm still hungry for it. I've enjoyed it so much over the last five or six years. It took me a while to grow into it but it became something I enjoyed.
"It has been a huge honour for me and I feel as though, although it is a new regime, I still have a lot to offer as captain.
"But we'll have to wait and see what Declan has to say."
New Leinster coach Michael Cheika was believed to have asked O’Driscoll to step down so that he might have the chance to rediscover his own form and, while he is clearly not ready to give up the job at international level, O’Driscoll did admit is he was enjoying having a little less responsibility in the team.
"I don't have media issues, I'm not the go-to guy for the rest of the squad when something needs to be said to the coach so those sort of things make a big difference," he added.
"It's nice from a day to day point of view."
"It definitely relieves the pressure and I'm able to go and focus on other things."
