The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan will be won by a Northern Hemisphere side, that’s according to four-time British & Irish Lion Brian O’Driscoll.

Few thought the British & Irish Lions would come away with anything but a 3-0 defeat against the double reigning world champions New Zealand this summer but they came from behind to deservedly tie the series 1-1.

The mighty All Blacks had gone 18 games unbeaten before Ireland ended that run in Chicago last November and the Kiwis looked shaky again at times this summer.

Their defeat in the Second Test was their first on home soil since 2009 – a streak of 47 matches unbeaten – as the normally free-scoring All Blacks failed to cross the try line for the first time in three years.

And while New Zealand, who won the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, are still likely to go into the next tournament in Japan as favourites, O’Driscoll insists there are cracks in their game.

O’Driscoll said: “Looking at the World Cup in 2019 New Zealand will most likely still be favourites but lots of teams across the world will realise if they can have the performance of their lives and shut the All Blacks down they can beat them.

“I wouldn’t say they will be there for the taking but it’s definitely not a foregone conclusion. It was really enjoyable to see how competitive the Lions were, how much they rattled the All Blacks and how the Lions are alive and well.

“It did make a big statement about northern hemisphere rugby, it makes the All Blacks look as though they are not infallible which I think is great.

“I think Ireland reminded the world of that in November but it’s good to see another team able to really put it to them.

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“Nobody was given them a hope of a drawn series and I certainly wasn’t expecting a drawn series.

“Huge kudos to the coaching staff and the players for using the confidence from that second Test to go on and achieve – it won’t go down in history like the 1971 tour – but people will look back and really applaud it in years to come.

“And that’s why a Northern Hemisphere team will take great confidence that can win the tournament into the World Cup.”

It isn’t just the elite level of the game O’Driscoll expects to see a big boost following the surprise success of the Lions in New Zealand earlier this summer.

The former Ireland captain expects the victory in Wellington and the nerve-shredding draw in the decider at New Zealand’s fortress Eden Park in Auckland to inspire the next generation too.

“Success in any sport breeds participation levels and interest levels spike so you have to piggy back on that. Undoubtedly there would have been huge numbers watching that third Test in particular,” said O’Driscoll, who was helping to launch HSBC Hour at Royal Birkdale this week; an initiative offering an hour of free golf to young people and families during the week of The Open.

“The manner in which the Lions were able to stay in the game and compete against the best team in the world would have absolutely inspired huge amounts of boys and girls out there.

“I think you have to try and use that as a stepping stone to continue growing the game. It’s the best means to build a player base by having successful teams out there and young children being able to watch that and enjoy it.”

Having watched the Lions as a spectator for the first time since being a schoolboy, O’Driscoll has been at The Open this week with HSBC.

HSBC Hour, now in its third year, gives young people the chance to experience golf for free during the week of The Open, with this year’s edition seeing around 300 clubs take part in the UK and Ireland with over 2,000 people set to receive free golf tuition.

And as part of the event, O’Driscoll stunned even himself by completing the HSBC ten-step chip challenge on social media at the first attempt.

He added: “I’m a pretty terrible chipper of the ball and it was my first take and I couldn’t believe it that I got it in one, you can see that from my reaction.

“It was an absolutely fluke because if I had another five balls I can guarantee none of them would go in. The HSBC hour will drive participation levels and let people enjoy what a great game golf can be.

“I probably don’t play as much as I would like but I am competitive when I get out there even if it’s just for a fiver or to get one up on your playing buddies, I think that’s in you or it’s not.”

Brian O'Driscoll was talking on behalf of The Open patron HSBC. HSBC are offering free golf during the week of The Open. For more information, please visit: https://www.theopen.com/HSBCHour