British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
D’Arcy’s got a Dilemma
The amazing Mr D’Arcy, we’ve all said it as he dances through a defence. But now both D’Arcy and his would-be role model tell us how they really feel about each other!
Gordon D’Arcy, says the French centre Jo Maso, is a fantastic player, more creative than Brian O’Driscoll.
And the frenchman, Maso insists: “For me, D’Arcy is a better player, a different player to Brian O’Driscoll. He is more creative. O’Driscoll is an opportunist, a very talented performer. But if you look at it, O’Driscoll scores many tries as a wing, not a centre. And often, the opportunities are created by D’Arcy. For me, he is a wonderful player.”
 (What is this a mutual respect society?)
D’Arcy has always been fascinated by the French game, and will have a tough call when his contract runs out in 2010.
“It will be a tough decision knowing what to do when my present contract runs out in 2010. I’ll just be turning 31 then. Would I stay in Ireland and go to the 2011 World Cup if I’m still in the national team? Or join a French club? If I went abroad, that would be it from an international point of view.
“But it is still an ambition of mine to do that. You would be broadening your horizons and seeing a new part of the world. French rugby has always fascinated me.”
French Rugby is gruelling though, their season will practically runs for an entire year, where the IRFU has tried to create the perfect scenario for it’s players.
D’Arcy is, together with O’Driscoll and Jauzion, one of the best centres in the northern hemisphere. But even at 27, D’Arcy acknowledges the ageing process.
“Rugby is a highly attritional sport. I am noticing it now. It is taking me two days to recover from games whereas it used to be one.”
With the creative genius of D’Arcy in midfield in the Sadio Flaminio this weekend, and the warm sun on his back. Close your eyes and you see flashes of Maso, the master, in his full glory!