In Pics: Brian O’Driscoll In Dubai
Click here for photos of Leinster and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll during his recent three-day visit to Dubai for the IRB Under-19 World Championship.
Pictured above: Brian O’Driscoll watches the action as the Ireland Under-19s take on France U-19 at the Exiles ground in Dubai. Charlie McAleese’s Irish side unfortunately lost the game 26-18 but victory over a winless Samoa on Thursday afternoon could see them qualify for a high play-off place.
Whilst on his whistle-stop tour of Dubai, O’Driscoll also took time out to support the International Rugby Board’s ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ campaign, headed by the IRB’s Anti-Doping manager Tim Ricketts.
During the Under-19 tournament, players and team officials from the competing nations have taken part in an Anti-Doping seminar, both out of competition and in competition testing has been performed on the players and an Outreach education programme was also scheduled.
Wednesday (April 12) was also singled out as ‘Keep Rugby Clean Day’ – where players, team management, tournament officials and referees wore specially designed T-shirts with a message of support for the campaign.
Ricketts explained: “The Keep Rugby Clean campaign is endorsed by four high profile international players of which Brian is one. These players are great ambassadors of the game and role models to all the players and the rugby community, which is why they were asked to support the IRB’s Anti-Doping campaign.
“Brian is a great player who displays all the elements of a true leader both on and off the pitch, who younger players look up to. To have Brian supporting the campaign is great for the IRB’s Anti-Doping programme and the promotion of rugby as a drug free sport.”
Having helped Leinster beat the Borders last Friday night, O’Driscoll made his way out to Dubai for a short break, which included a round or two of golf. The 27-year-old boasts a handicap of nine – but it has been as low as seven when he has dedicated time to his golf game. (Ed: Time to get the Leinster-Munster banter going – Paul O’Connell plays off a six handicap – and it’s been as low as four! Roll on April 23!)
**All photos by Inpho Photography**