Watch: O'Driscoll And Wilkinson React To Garry Ringrose's Performance Against Italy
'I'm going to be the guy that goes, 'You know what? People used to compare me to Garry Ringrose,' joked Brian O'Driscoll in the ITV studio after Ireland's rout of Italy in Rome.
Jonny Wilkinson had just praised Ringrose for his fluid and elegant running style. 'Funny, watching that there, he runs exactly like you,' Wilkinson told O'Driscoll.
The former Ireland captain also had plenty of positive comments to make regarding the young player.
He's answered any critics or pressure that has come his way. Six Nations is a different beast than playing November internationals. I think he's handled himself extremely well.
We heard Gordon D'Arcy talking about in commentary about his ability to read defensively. He's a wiry enough sort of guy. His ability to see the play ahead of time is probably what stands him apart.
I don't think the Italian defence have covered themselves in glory [for Ringrose's try] but he still has to break through a couple of half-hearted tackles. It's nice line. A little step off the right foot, a little acceleration left and right and then backing himself.
I think that's what it's all about for young players, having that belief in their own ability. This guy has bundles of ability and we're going to see it in the coming years.
Given that, like O'Driscoll, Ringrose wears the number 13 shirt for Ireland and Leinster, comparisons between the two have abounded.
Wilkinson had some advice for Ringrose about dealing with those comparisons.
All of this is one single journey. It's the journey of 'How good can I be?' versus 'What do people think of me?' Once you win that journey by going this way and working on this, nothing else matters and he creates his own story.
It has nothing to do with Brian. You won't beat Brian's story. You'll never be a better version of Brian than Brian was of Brian. You can only be you. It's difficult because people will always want to compare. He stands a chance of having his own future and looking at that, it's going to be pretty amazing.
See Also: The Five Big Takeaways From Ireland's Rout Of Italy
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