Perfect home farewell for O'Driscoll

Editor

Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll admitted he would “remember the day for a very long time” after they beat Italy 46-7 in Dublin on Saturday.

Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll said he would “remember the day for a very long time” after they thumped Italy 46-7 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The 35-year-old was reduced to tears following his man of the match performance that left Ireland on the verge of their second title in five years.

Ireland now possess a +81 points difference and know that any triumph over France is highly likely to see them crowned Six Nations champions.

“It was great, I couldn't have asked for a better close to playing at home in an Irish jersey,” said O'Driscoll, who if victorious in Paris would hold the record for most wins in the Five/Six Nations with 45 having equalled former England prop Jason Leonard's mark of 44 with the Italy victory.

“To score 46 points and concede just one try – it made the day what it was.

“I'll remember the day for a very long time. It wasn't emotional before the game, I was focused on the game, but it was emotional at the end, it's hard to take it all in.

“If I go home and watch it all again, I might get more emotional again -but it was very special, if a little embarrassing.

“I feel we have the capabilities now of winning in Paris of course, more so now than other times we've gone over there.

“But I realise how tough a challenge it is – we've won once there in 42 years, it's one win, and one draw in 42.

“We realise the size of the challenge, but we feel when we go well, we're difficult to contain, so we have to get ourselves up for one massive performance.”