By Pete Ryan
The international will attract the most attention from fans—nothing beats match day in Cardiff. The streets buzz with anticipation as thousands flock to the cauldron that is the Principality Stadium.
Even if you weren’t fortunate enough to get the hottest ticket in town, don’t worry; the pubs and bars will be packed to the brim with a melody of laughter and light as the drinks flow and good times unfold.
It is easy to get caught up in the electric charge of an unwritten day as everybody floods the capital expecting a good day out.
However, watching Wales on an international day is a shared experience for most of the country.
People must not forget that champions rise not in grand stadiums but on worn-out pitches, where unseen battles echo through the game forever.
We must credit the greats who fight tooth and nail for local clubs. Among these names, Zach O’Driscoll stands as a backbone of Welsh rugby‘s domestic elite, his presence unwavering for over a decade.
Zach O’Driscoll
When thinking about Welsh back-row players, a few words often come to mind: gritty, relentless, and powerful. While they may be clichés, these words perfectly depict O’Driscoll.
He is a player who leaves everything on the pitch, fully committed to the battle. The Bridgend skipper prowls the breakdown like a hunter and stands in defence like an unshakable fortress.
A stern leader who sets a formidable standard, his game is a symphony of energy and endurance—a rhythm that makes him unmissable on the field. His resilience is truly inspiring.
From the windswept fields of Heol-y-Cyw to the proud traditions of Llanharan, his journey is written in the heart of Welsh rugby.
O’Driscoll made his mark in his initial stint with Bridgend, where he basked in a WRU Swalec Cup victory in 2015, marking the club’s first title in 35 years.
Throughout those years, there was always a sense of danger when facing Bridgend, a team that thrived on defying expectations.
Three years after Bridgend brought the cup home from the Principality Stadium, O’Driscoll arrived as a Cardiff RFC player in the Welsh capital.
During his time at Arms Park, O’Driscoll made quite the impression, frequently praised for his performances in blue and black, with the Players’ Player of the Year award in his hands and Cardiff on the cusp of something special.
The season’s sudden end left a tale of what could have been, as the coronavirus brought the world to a standstill. Rugby’s return brought O’Driscoll homeward—not to Arms Park, but to the Brewery Field, where his presence has become a pillar of the squad.
O’Driscoll’s presence on the field speaks for itself—he’s one of the best in the league. For deeper insight, hear from Robert Rees of The SRC Podcast, a voice who knows this competition inside and out.
“Zach is a really disruptive player around the breakdown and a key figure in the Ravens’ defence, with a strong tackle rate and a high ratio of those becoming dominant.
“His leadership is raw and passionate and provides that game management and edgy performance to get his side going.”
Part of a Golden Era of Llanharan
“The time I spent at Llanharan playing youth rugby was some of my best years.”
For most of his career, O’Driscoll was synonymous with Bridgend County through his time with the Ravens and Heol-y-Cyw. Yet, a village in Rhondda Cynon Taf played a significant role in O’Driscoll’s formative years.
Llanharan boasts a tremendous amount of history and tradition. Foreshadowing the sensational run the Dairymen have enjoyed over recent years, the 2009 youth team was a fearsome presence.
A side woven with brilliance, the silverware garnered was a true reflection of its gifted individuals—bringing many trophies back to the Dairy Field and securing a treble.
With every match, Llanharan Youth wrote their story of triumph, finishing atop their section in the Cardiff Blues Regional Youth League. Llanharan claimed a ruthless 52-3 victory over Glyncoch to be crowned champions, with O’Driscoll crossing the whitewash twice.
In a display of utter dominance, Chris Williams converted only one try before opting against taking kicks, avoiding the risk of bringing the game to a premature conclusion due to the 50-point rule—a regulation in youth rugby that ends the game if one team leads by 50 points.
If the league title wasn’t enough, toppling Beddau to clinch the Taff Rhondda Merit Cup etched their names into youth rugby history as a surreal outfit. In the high-speed chess match of sevens, they thrived, outpacing and outplaying their rivals to claim glory in the Pontyclun Sevens Tournament.
That 2009 side oozed quality. O’Driscoll has been a part of some revered teams throughout his career. Does the 2009 Llanharan youth side rank among the best? O’Driscoll’s answer was crystal clear.
“Yes, I do think it was one of the best sides I played with. We didn’t lose often and it was a great group to be involved in.”
Many of O’Driscoll’s teammates have gone on to do fantastic things in rugby. Chris Williams, a talented scrum-half, has been a staple of Bridgend for several years.
Scott Malone would go on to captain his boyhood club, having stints in clubs such as Tata Steel RFC and Neath. Harley Thomson would be capped by Wales under-18 and go on to play for teams such as Pontypridd.
Llanharan gave O’Driscoll the foundation every great player needs, setting him up for success in senior rugby.
His Time with Heol-y-Cyw
“It was a great occasion playing the final with my brothers. Not often do people get the opportunity to do that.”
That was O’Driscoll reminiscing about memorable moments in the Principality Stadium alongside his brothers, Adam and Luke O’Driscoll—a chapter where rugby and family blended seamlessly. Heol-y-Cyw wasn’t just a club; it was a cornerstone in his journey, helping shape him into the player he would become.
After beginning his senior career with Llanharan in the early 2010s, O’Driscoll moved to Heol-y-Cyw RFC. A rural village known for its agricultural roots, its name reflects this, translating to “Road of the Chicken.”
Through generations, the club has been bound by a steadfast code of commitment, teamwork, and resilience embedded in its core. As a side, they are known for punching above their weight and holding their own against the giants of Welsh rugby.
“There is only one way to succeed at anything: to give everything.”
No one articulates the club’s spirit better than its captain, Jordan Hawkins, whose words reflect exactly why O’Driscoll flourished there. Since the club was founded in 1906, one thing has defined them: pouring heart and soul into every moment.
O’Driscoll was immersed in some memorable moments throughout his tenure with Heol-y-Cyw.
It is a glimpse of a story yet to be written, one that would find its echo in 2015, when he relived a similar battle with Bridgend. In 2013, Heol-y-Cyw embarked on a quest to Cardiff to bring the Swalec Plate back to the village. In a saga of grit and greatness, the side, captained by Adam O’Driscoll, headed into the final ready to do business. They earned their spot in the final with a performance forged in fire against Cwmllynfell.
As fate would have it, another O’Driscoll had the final say. Hooker Luke O’Driscoll pounced on a loose kick to score, sealing Heol-y-Cyw’s place in the final. The buses travelled up the M4, and there was a true sense of optimism and belief as Heol-y-Cyw stood on the verge of something special.
It was a classic encounter in which heroes rose and pressure mounted—Chris Howe’s brace, a last-gasp penalty attempt from Josh James going wide, and a Heol-y-Cyw side refusing to be denied their moment in history. As the final whistle blew, the adulation and relief from players and fans alike could be felt from the heavens.
Few achievements in Heol-y-Cyw’s storied past shine brighter than this, along with the club’s journey to the 1983 Brewers Cup at Arms Park. Their Lyn Cup triumph over Maesteg Harlequins remains another defining chapter—a testament to their enduring strength. For O’Driscoll, he would go on to play in monumental contests, but this one has to be among the sweetest.
His Time with Bridgend
Not long after the monumental Plate triumph with Heol-y-Cyw, Bridgend reached out, and O’Driscoll answered, stepping up to the challenge of Premiership rugby.
Thirty-three minutes west of the capital, you will find Bridgend—a rugby-hearted and battle-born town. A town with an unbreakable spirit, where the warmth of home follows you through its streets.
This timeless place has a unique feeling when strolling through the historic settlement. Balancing nostalgia and renewal, the town stands unbroken, its energy palpable.
Aspects of heritage and beauty can be seen throughout the settlement, whether it is Norton Church towering over Bridgend like a beacon guiding you home or the scenic expanse of Newbridge Fields along the picturesque River Ogmore.
Beauty lingers in the town, but its true warmth comes from its people—their smiles, greetings, and energy. It is an unparalleled bond between a person and their hometown; the stars above one’s homestead always burn the brightest.
Rugby and the town share a symbiotic relationship embedded in its very core, and legends like JPR Williams and Gareth Thomas have called the Brewery Field home.
Make no mistake—few players have embodied the Bridgend rugby spirit like O’Driscoll, so it’s no surprise that he has thrived as the club’s captain.
“Bridgend is a big club with a lot of history, so it means a lot to play here,” O’Driscoll said, reflecting on his time as Bridgend’s skipper.
His rugby story is filled with defining moments and triumphs, and many clubs have enriched his career. However, the chapters he turned at Bridgend are the most well-known.
O’Driscoll played his first competitive match against Aberavon in a British and Irish Cup qualifying contest. He had an exceptional debut season with the storied club, quickly laying the foundations for the many years to come.
In a match that echoed his Heol-y-Cyw heroics, O’Driscoll’s most significant Bridgend moment came in 2015.
A long, trophy-less winter stretched for 15 years until a fateful day when Ashleigh James stormed the capital alongside his teammates to capture the Swalec Cup.
There is always a hum of excitement when it is a cup final. Local teams travel to the Principality Stadium, hoping to return with a trophy to their clubhouse.
In May 2015, Bridgend travelled to Cardiff, ready to dance with destiny against rivals Pontypridd. Pontypridd were favourites to secure a double, but Bridgend had other plans. The Ravens secured a tense victory at the then-Millennium Stadium.
Pontypridd struck first with a Simon Humberstone penalty, but Owen Howe knocked over two penalties to put his side ahead.
With a burst of pace and precision, Aled Summerhill shifted the momentum. However, Howe’s kicking prowess remained a constant presence throughout the game, keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Bridgend.
A decisive moment came with a perfectly timed kick and a fearless sprint—Bridgend’s Tom O’Flaherty chased down the ball to score.
Jake Thomas’ last-gasp try for Pontypridd wasn’t enough, as Bridgend held firm for a well-earned victory.
They toppled a Pontypridd side littered with future internationals, with Dillon Lewis, Tomos Williams, and Jarrod Evans all having runouts in the famous red jersey.
The victory ensured the 2015 side would be forever inscribed as one of Bridgend’s most formidable teams. Reflecting their efforts from 2013 in Heol-y-Cyw, the O’Driscoll brothers left everything on the field, helping Bridgend claim the cup.
O’Driscoll was a key figure in a new era for Bridgend, which saw significant departures, including his brother Adam and Ashleigh James.
His presence was crucial in the 2016/17 season when the Ravens pulled off major upsets over Bedwas and Merthyr.
Of course, he had a brief stint with Cardiff RFC, but upon returning to Bridgend, O’Driscoll resumed putting in significant shifts for the Ravens.
During his second tenure with Bridgend, he notably played a key role in victories over Pontypool. The 2022 clash against RGC saw O’Driscoll deliver a defining moment for the Ravens, sealing their first-ever win over North Wales with a decisive late try.
So far this season, the flanker hasn’t slowed down a bit. O’Driscoll has been a rock-solid presence for Bridgend; according to statistics released in December, he was involved in 198 rucks and made 79 tackles, demonstrating impressive dominance in collisions. These numbers reinforce his reputation as an absolute workhorse in the back row.
The Ravens have all the tools to stand toe-to-toe with the elite, and O’Driscoll will play a significant role in their success.
“Rugby means a lot to me. I’ve made some good friends that I wouldn’t have without rugby. I’ve made some great memories and will miss it when I’m finished.”
The Ravens’ clubhouse board holds the names of the club’s internationals. While O’Driscoll’s name may not be there, his legend is etched in the hearts of Bridgend’s faithful.
The Welshman holds a stellar reputation whether you visit Llanharan, Heol-y-Cyw, Cardiff, or Bridgend.
O’Driscoll’s name may never echo through Cardiff’s grandest stadium, but his legacy is written in the domestic game. While O’Driscoll is at his peak, fans should take every chance to see him in action—his impact on the game is something to admire.
