Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll has snubbed an invite to Friday’s royal wedding as he is playing for Leinster in the Heineken Cup 24 hours later.
The 32-year-old admitted it was a 'big honour' to be invited but the game was more important than being a guest at Westminster Abbey.
Leinster play Toulouse in the semi-final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium at 3.30pm on Saturday - the day after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials in London.
'I have a captain’s run on Friday and as big an honour as it was to be invited, I can’t ask for team runs to be at 6pm,' he told The Guardian. O’Driscoll’s wife, actress Amy Huberman, will attend the ceremony.
'It’s a small thing but waking up here, at home on Saturday morning, is really important' I’ll be up early enough for breakfast and lounging around, watching Soccer AM. I’ll make my usual lunch at 1230. My missus knows to leave me alone. She won’t be getting much chat out of me. And then it’s off to the game.'
Prince William, who is vice royal patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, is likely to share his big day with some of the sport’s leading figures.
England and Gloucester centre Mike Tindall is engaged to Prince William’s cousin Zara Phillips and will be attending, as will as fellow British and Irish Lions flanker Martyn Williams.
Williams has been granted time off by club side Cardiff Blues, even though his attendance at the wedding will mean missing a Magners League match against Newport Dragons on the same day.
Gareth Thomas, who now plays for rugby league side Crusaders, is also set to be amongst the congregation.
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