Adam Ashley-Cooper and Brian O'Driscoll were involved in a frank Twitter exchange after the Ireland legend said the Bordeaux-Begles man moved to the Top 14 for the money.

Former Ireland centre O'Driscoll was discussing a potential switch to France for Leinster and Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan, who has been linked with a move to Bordeaux.

O'Driscoll is quoted as saying on Newstalk’s Off The Ball: "You have to weigh up everything and money is going to become a really big factor in all this.

"Adam Ashley-Cooper didn't go to Bordeaux to win Top 14 titles, he went for a bit of sunshine and a bit of money."

Australia wing Ashley-Cooper reacted by tweeting O'Driscoll to say that he disagreed "strongly" with that comment.

O'Driscoll replied: "That quote is incorrect. It should have said 'pension' instead of 'a bit of money'... And there's no shame in that!"

Ashley-Cooper then responded by taking a jibe at the manner in which O'Driscoll ended his career at Leinster.

He tweeted: "haha well i guess there's no shame in playing your last 2 seasons hanging on for cash then either?"

O'Driscoll replied: "actuellement (French for actually) a Lions Series, a 6 Nations and two Pro12's!!! The few bob was an added bonus! #whatevs #."

Ashley-Cooper responded again by tweeting: "Thanks for your rugby CV mate and well done on those achievements."

Toulon's Australia international Matt Giteau then got involved by posting: "only bloke I know that chased cash instead of titles was @JonnyWilkinson.However I helped him get the later." 

Ashley-Cooper made his Bordeaux-debut in a 33-27 European Champions Cup win over Ospreys on Saturday.