'Out of control' speed may go against Garry Ringrose, says Brian O'Driscoll

Brian O'Driscoll reckons Garry Ringrose won’t change much about his tackle technique even if he faces a ban that will rule him out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.

TheIreland centre will tomorrow morning learn his fate after getting sent off for a dangerous tackle in the win over Wales on Saturday.

The Leinster back was initially yellow-carded but the colour was upgraded to red following a bunker review of the tackle on Ben Thomas.

Ringrose has a clean record, which may go in his favour, but previous similar cases have resulted in six-week bans that are then mitigated down based on admitting guilt and attending 'tackle school’.

The Dubliner missed the last game of the Grand Slam in 2023 after suffering a head injury while making a tackle against Scotland.

Ireland are top of the table and face France in ten days’ time in Dublin in a likely championship decider.

"It’s probably just a red card," O’Driscoll, who won 143 international caps with Ireland and the Lions, said.

"I think the speed at which he comes in...it’s an out-of-control speed. It’s that might work against him.

"I haven’t scrutinised it the way [the committee] will have.

"He's a fraction off.

"Think about all the dozens of massive hits, the one he got wrong against Scotland over in Edinburgh when he injured himself, it hasn't stopped him from shooting and not respecting his body.

"A little bit of you, as an ex-player, you're wincing like everybody else, but also enjoying the heroics, his ability and willingness to put in those shots for the team.

"To have your first red, considering he has defended that way for a long time, as a 30-year-old is OK, you don't have to reinvent the wheel.

"Maybe for the next couple of weeks he comes back playing, you maybe hedge