Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has admitted that this year's Six Nations championship could be his last.
O'Driscoll holds the records for most test caps (119) and tries (45) for his country but recently struggled with injury problems.
"There's a strong possibility it could be my last," said O'Driscoll to BBC Sport.
"There's every chance it's my last Six Nations but I haven't really allowed myself to start thinking about finishing.
"If you start thinking about it too early, you're one foot into retirement already. I'm contracted [with the Irish Rugby Football Union] until the summer and I'll see how my body feels."
A veteran of three Lions tours, O'Driscoll is still a favourite to lead the touring side in Australia later this year.
"It would be an honour that would be too big to pass up again," added O'Driscoll.
"I got to do it once, albeit for only 25 seconds of a Test match [O'Driscoll was injured early in the first Test against New Zealand in 2005], so it would be nice to get another opportunity.
"But first things first, I've got to get myself into a position to get myself on the tour and deserve my spot."
Comments
JamieTheProp says...
As most people on here know I am an England fan yet when he pulls on a Lions jersey BOD is the one player I shout loudest for!
The man is a true rugby legend - skilful, committed and very, very hard (not often a front row forward will say that about a back).
For club and country the man has been epic! I'd like to say that from an England point of view I'll be glad to see him go - but I won't! The rugby fan in me just wants to keep watching him.
And what someone on the thread is doing mentioning O'Gara in the same breath as BOD is beyond me - one of these guys is a rugby genius and the other kicks balls and loses the Lions test matches with silly 'tackles'.
Posted 22:15 01st February 2013
Norm says...
NH Saints
Sorry Tuliagi doesnt get the shirt over O'Driscoll, one swallow and all that. Aussies on an average day would expose his defence. He is a great go forward player but he has a very limited repertoire and it wont take the SH long to work it out. Its not as if big freakishly strong centres are not something that they deal with week in week out in the tri or quad nations or whatever it is called now.
Posted 19:08 01st February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
A few players you want never to retire. Give him a Peter Pan pill please!
Posted 23:08 31st January 2013
NHsaints says...
Awesome player, yes a little past it and it would be outrageous on current form for Gatland to select him over Tuilagi but then we need a captain who will lead by example and if he hits form this 6 nations i suspect he could be the captain this summer.
Posted 20:00 31st January 2013
gleek says...
In a perverse way it is almost a pity he and D'Arcy spent most of their careers next to one another. Both awesome players (though yes O'Driscoll trumps him) but also very similar attacking threats. It is no coincidence that O'Driscoll player his best rugby when paired with Horgan for Leinster, Maggs/Henderson for Ireland and Henderson/Roberts for the Lions.
Too often he was asked to carry water up the middle instead of being used as a genuine strike weapon he is. That he did it gladly speaks volumes for his character. When he goes he will be missed.
Posted 16:26 31st January 2013
irishzimbabwean says...
12counties - this be a first, have never seen the words "masterstroke" and "Deccie" in the same sentence before?
I presume you wouldn't include the dropping of Chris Henry to the bench a masterstroke?
Posted 16:13 31st January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
He's said he's not thinking about retiring. We all knew he didn't have much longer. This is a non story. I think he might squeeze another year out of himself. Lions rejection would probably trigger resignation, but I wouldn't be suprised if he want Ireland captaincy back.
Posted 15:47 31st January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
We're got people writing him off (Boo!) and people calling him a hero (Wahey!) Let see what happens at 1:30pm on Saturday, eh?
I'm backing him to have a blinder.
Posted 15:44 31st January 2013
12Counties says...
I'm expecting a huge tournament from him due to combination of his last 6 nations tournament and also point to prove over the captaincy thing. Master stroke by Deccie?
Posted 15:43 31st January 2013
atg77 says...
As a Scots fan I have looked over the sea with great envy for the last 14 years. The best centre of the pro era by a country mile; and probably of all time. In in his prime he had searing pace, explosive accelaration, vision, agility and the ability to single handedly turn a game on its head. His name will long be remembered in the annals of test rugby history. Irreplacble.
Posted 14:50 31st January 2013
irishzimbabwean says...
FISH - I will look forward to BOD proving you wrong. He will rise to the occasion as usual. Don't you remember the second test against the All Blacks only seven months ago. The rest will have done him good!
Posted 14:33 31st January 2013
FISH says...
should have quit last year...actually shouldnt have been at the world cup......he's broken....sad he was a superb player
Posted 13:53 31st January 2013
carpelone says...
C'mon PR.
You should have chosen a less morbid headline.
BOD should be touching wood by now
Posted 13:50 31st January 2013
mcdb06 says...
O'Gara has most test caps for Ireland on 126
Posted 13:10 31st January 2013
99call says...
Norm
This is a burden I must carry myself and it would be remiss of me to ask a fellow irishman to carry it, yes it will be emotional but I feel I can cope and when the final whistle goes there will be tear in my eye and lump on my throat and hopefully 2 points in the win column
Joking aside it will be emotional Ive watched him as we all have since 1999 come out as a fresh faced lightweight centre and over the years become one of the best the game has seen so it will be sad to see him go
Posted 12:36 31st January 2013
Norm says...
In a generation's time the rugby dictionary will have Legend: See Brian O'Driscoll
Posted 11:53 31st January 2013
Norm says...
99Call
I'm an irishman living in Bristol and I'm worried for you. I can see the emotion in your words, this could be too much for you! Please allow me to carry this burden for you and take your ticket.
Posted 11:52 31st January 2013
paddy91317 says...
A hero.....
Posted 10:48 31st January 2013
carpelone says...
Well, it will be a sad day when he will retire.
Posted 10:27 31st January 2013
99call says...
I think its the right time for him to go hopefully we can have good 6n and then hes gets on the Lions tour, the word legend is thrown around a bit too easily but this guy is a true one of the game
Off to the match on saturaday as Im and irishman living in Wales made sure I got tickets as I think this will be the last time I see him play in the flesh.
Posted 10:01 31st January 2013