Brian O’Driscoll has all the attributes to forge a first-class coaching career, according to Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.
O’Driscoll brought down 15 glorious years of international action by guiding Ireland to a first RBS 6 Nations title in five years with Saturday’s 22-20 victory over France in Paris.
O’Driscoll squared the circle for Ireland’s first win in France since the stunning 2000 hat-trick that announced his arrival on the world stage.
Even before Ireland’s Six Nations triumph, bookmakers had O’Driscoll installed at 16/1 to coach the British and Irish Lions to a series win before 2030.
The 35-year-old Leinster stalwart has already tried to play down a quick-fire move into management, but 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.
“To be honest at the moment our coaching team is functioning really well,” he said.
“I haven’t really thought about that, so I’ll think about it and come back to you.”