As Ireland's rugby squad assembles ahead of the November Internationals, retired legend Brian O'Driscoll's absence is conspicuous.

Fortunately for us, he was in the Off The Ball studio guest presenting tonight's show and he gave us some valuable insight into what these Ireland camps are really like for the players in terms of preparation and team bonding.

But he also revealed the embarrassing initiation ceremonies that new players have to get involved in when they join the squad.

However, it wasn't just the players who were forced to sing. 

"They started doing them for the other halves as well. I remember my missus having to do it and I think she sang the Home And Away song. So it got ridiculous. I sang City of Chicago maybe," admitted Brian, who resisted the temptation to blast out the tune on air.  

Brian also analysed the European rugby so far and was also full of praise for Ulster and South Africa's Ruan Pienaar and analysed exactly what Ulster have been missing while he has been out of action.

He also had an anecdote about just how tough it is to stop France, Toulon and rugby wrecking ball Mathieu Bastareaud in his tracks. 

"For me he's undefendable. How do you stop him? I remember in the Six Nations against France, I left him one on one with D'Arcy and he didn't even need to say anything to me afterwards. He just gave me the the stare, like 'how could you do that to me,'" said Brian of his centre partner's reaction.