O'Driscoll looking forward to Roberts pairing

No sooner had Ian McGeechan announced his 37 man squad for the South African tour than many pundits were pointing to a dream centre pairing of the Irish skipper and the Cardiff Blues giant.

They get their first chance to play together when the Lions play their second game at Johannesburg's Coca Cola Park tomorrow night.

"Jamie is a real handful and I will be looking forward to sitting on his shoulder. Having defended against him I know it is not easy to put him back," added O'Driscoll.

"If they leave him one on one he can be very dangerous and I hope I can get on his shoulder and he can create some space for us out wide. He had a strong game at the weekend and everyone realises his potential with the ball in his arm.
"He gives you real go forward and he's an exciting player to be paired up with."

The Irish skipper will be surrounded by Welshmen as he has the Scarlets outside half Stephen Jones and the Ospreys Mike Phillips playing at half-back. He knows all about Jones' qualities having played with him on the 2005 Lions tour.
"Stephen has been in great form this year. Both he and Mike are very confident players who can control things very well," added O'Driscoll.