BOD BLOW
Ireland icon Brian O’Driscoll shares most painful moment of his life that had very strange outcome
The Leinster legend didn't come away totally unscathed though
BRIAN O'DRISCOLL'S answer to the biggest hit he ever took on a rugby pitch had a surprising element or two.
Not only was Ireland's record try-scorer able to play on but the other guy wasn't!
3
3
3
But rather than being a boastful answer as that outline might suggest, the 45-year-old freely acknowledged sheer luck prevented him from suffering multiple broken ribs.
He was speaking in his guise as a Six Nations pundit for ITV, prior to Ireland's 31-7 win over Wales.
And he recalled it was a Welshman who'd brought the pain: "The biggest shot I ever took was here (at the Aviva Stadium) and it was Scott Williams.
"He melted me. He read the play, hit me in my sternum, my whole backside was black and blue from the impact of hitting the ground, such was the force.
Read More On Rugby
"He broke his collarbone and I would have broken multiple ribs if he hadn't hit me squad in the sternum.
"I was very badly winded but managed to carry on.
"They were trying to get me off for a HIA. I couldn't get my words out to say that I was just winded - because I was so badly winded!
"I must have been down for 90 seconds until I came round and was able to tell them.
Most read in Rugby Union
"As he was holding his shoulder I was like, 'see? That's why I can't breathe!'
"My whole backside was black and blue, it was ridiculous. The biggest bruise I've ever had."
Fans declare 'Andy Farrell for President' as Ireland stars make class gesture to Liverpool superfan Daire Gorman
Amusingly, Williams reacted to the above exchange when it was clipped and released on the British broadcaster's Twitter account.
And after all these years, he felt like the pain suffered at the time had finally been worth it.
He quipped: "Grade 4 ruptured AC joint and torn deltoid…..this makes it worth it!"
Most analysts are predicting Andy Farrell's side to continue to dish out wallopings of their own against England and Scotland on their way to another Grand Slam.
However, BOD cautioned against that sentiment as he outlined his belief that the trip to Twickenham on Saturday March 9 could still prove a bruising affair for both.