Kiss excited at prospect of epic duel

Ireland’s assistant coach, Les Kiss, is excited by the prospect of returning captain Brian O’Driscoll taking on New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams.

O’Driscoll, who missed four months of Leinster’s season following shoulder surgery before returning for the end of the campaign, is set for his international return in Saturday’s first Test, while Williams was last night given the nod to start for the All Blacks after a wonderful season with Chiefs in Super Rugby.

The contest between the established O’Driscoll and the unorthodox Williams is cause for some excitement, a feeling shared by Kiss.

“You’re talking about one of the greatest in Brian coming against one of these guys who is an absolute beast on the field, Sonny Bill,” he said. “He [Williams] has been doing fantastic things with the Chiefs this year. So, if Sonny gets picked and Brian gets picked, then we’ll see how that goes.”

Williams acknowledged that lining up against O’Driscoll would be a serious challenge. “O’Driscoll is always the danger man. Absolutely. He has done well since he came back [from injury],” he said.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge, but hopefully we can play a style of footie that is entertaining but a winning style as well.”