British and Irish Lions 2013: Brian O'Driscoll admits moment of victory over Australia was 'bittersweet'

The Irish centre was dropped for the final Test

Brian O'Driscoll celebrates the series victory (GETTY IMAGES)

Dropped centre Brian O'Driscoll conceded it was a “bittersweet” moment as he watched the British and Irish Lions seal their first series victory for 16 years.

The 34-year-old Ireland international was left out of the matchday 23 by coach Warren Gatland for the deciding Test against Australia on Saturday, which they won 41-16.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, O'Driscoll said: "The final whistle was bittersweet. You do not feel as much part of it if you have not played, no matter what. That is just how it is.

"It was a massive mix of emotions: delight at being part of this historic moment alongside guys you have battled with, but tempered by not playing. It was hard and I would be lying if I said otherwise.

"You are desperately envious of those who are out there but there is not a sliver of ambiguity about wanting to see the boys win. That is non-negotiable: 100 per cent you want the team to go well. I have spent a lot of time with these guys.

"But thanks be to god, I am a series winner with the British and Irish Lions, albeit it did not finish as I would have liked it to. But you cannot write your own script."

O'Driscoll relived the moment on Wednesday when he was dropped for the first time as a professional.

The Irishman had widely been tipped to be named captain in what would have been his final Test for the Lions, but he knew the writing was on the wall when Gatland and assistant coach Rob Howley approached him by the coffee machine and asked for a quiet word.

"I realised a quiet word in the meeting room was not a good sign," he said. "They were not going to ask me to be captain. That would have been said to me there and then. It was a blow.

Having seen other players react in the past to being dropped has given me an insight into how to respond and behave properly. I have seen guys who are dead men walking on tours when they have not been selected and you cannot be that person."

He added: "Credit to squad players who have had to do this sort of thing before me, put on the defence bib at training and really mean it out there. It is not easy, keeping your standards up at training. I have said all along on this tour that the contributions of everyone will make or break it.

"That was true and remains true. Suddenly I was that person. You cannot say things one week and then behave differently. I hope I did my bit last week."

PA