O'Driscoll slams IRB silence

Brian O'Driscoll has criticised the IRB over its conduct relating to new video footage.

British and Irish Lions skipper Brian O'Driscoll has criticised the International Rugby Board over its conduct relating to new video footage of the spear tackle that ended his tour of New Zealand.

The Irish centre's tour was ended just a minute into the first Test after All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu and centre Tana Umaga slammed him into the Auckland turf, dislocating his shoulder.

The pair were not even cited at the time.

The IRB did not reveal it had amateur video footage confirming that it was an illegal tackle for two months, only commenting on it when the footage was shown on Sky Sports last week.

"The video didn't change anything - it was conclusive the IRB made an error in saying there was nothing in it," O'Driscoll said.

"They had it for a period of time and only condemned the tackle when it came to light in the public arena - there are definitely question marks as to why it was only then."

O'Driscoll viewed the new evidence a couple of months ago when it was sent to the Irish medical team, but added:

"I lived it, I didn't have to see any video to know what it was like. Even though it only happened once to me I remembered just what it was like - and it was exactly as it was in the video. It was a dangerous tackle and I still believe that."

IRB chairman Dr Syd Millar announced last week that the issue of dangerous spear tackles would be discussed at a forthcoming referees' forum.