Brian O'Driscoll Quotes

Every coach in every sport, one of their larger concerns is the balance between work and rest. We all think about it all the time.

I want to reduce my risks as much as possible and hopefully be able to go to the World Cup fit, ready and healthy.

I used to run a full marathon in three hours and 25 or 26 minutes. Not any more.

When I got with Nina Greenberg, I had been running for a few months already without a trainer. But then she gave me a program and guided me through my runs, showing me how to take care of myself and letting me know I should ice my legs and stretch - stuff I hadn't been doing.

I'd had 35 professional fights and mentally I was tired of it. I'd sort ot fallen out of love with the sport.

Durability is part of what makes a great athlete.

Your body's really only meant to compete at the highest levels of combat sports for a few years.

I've completed the first part of my preparations without injury problems. My speed is good and I'm doing lots of volume for strength.

Getting past 30 as a sportsman, the end could be just around the corner.

The reality is, I'm not 24 or 34 anymore. Things are going to be different when I prepare for and when I compete in an athletic endeavor.

Our job as pros is to walk a very fine line: be the best but stay healthy so you can continue to progress and be at the top. You can't push the sport and yourself if you're always hurt.

In this league, it's all about being close to 100 percent on game day.

I'd love to feature for the Barbarians. I'd love to win a Champions Cup, and I'd love to get to another World Cup and make a fist of it: get to a World Cup final at least and see what could have been, particularly after 2011 when Wales reached the semi-finals.

Of course, on the road with me, I've got my coach, my own private physiotherapist. Back home, I have another coach who coaches me and also does all my racquets. I have a fitness trainer. I have a mental coach. It's a pretty big team.

When I was in Europe maybe you are tired for all year - playing, training, training, training.

I went from being very athletic, one of the best guards in the NBA, to barely making it. No speed, no agility. I had to change how I played because I couldn't exercise or train because my knee constantly hurt.

There are a lot of players competing for that wide attacking role, and if I'm brutally honest, if you aren't playing regularly, you can't get picked. I found that out, missing out on the World Cup.

It's a goal to get myself in the squad for the World Cup.

I came back from the World Cup and then started playing for Mumbai again. My game was the same because even in New Zealand, we played the One-day format.

I want to be in the World Cup.

It's always something that's played on my mind, being an Olympian, so hopefully we get there and do the job at the World Cup.

I remember being 32 years old and feeling great, better than ever physically. Then at 33, I tore my shoulder and was out for eight months, and it was like I fell off a cliff. I was never the same.

I can't keep playing 10-11 months a year and keep being sharp after 15 years of international cricket.

These NBA seasons are such a grind; it really takes a toll on your body.

Of course, for the national team it is good to have Mesut Ozil in good form.