Brian O'Driscoll will captain Ireland for the 36th time

"Of course we're going to be favourites considering the results we've had but on occasions against Scotland, they have wanted to win more than we did.

"Sometimes it's down to how people feel on the day and how much someone wants it on the day," said the Lions skipper.

"That will to win can be pretty strong if you have that in 15 guys," he added.

"If that is the case, it's pretty hard to break them down irrespective of whether you are favourites or not."

A seventh successive victory over Scotland would see Eddie O'Sullivan's side claim their third Triple Crown in four years and also maintain their title hopes.

However Ireland face their first 1330 GMT kick-off of this season's Six Nations and O'Driscoll admits his personal routine does not sit comfortably with the early start.

"I think it's a lot harder playing at that time. A lot of the guys have been used to playing the majority of games later.

I've played in a handful of internationals at this time before and it's the same for both teams Brian O'Driscoll

"Personally, I usually can't get to sleep the night before a game until I'm tired, which can mean the early hours of the morning.

"I like to have a nice lie-in as much as I can until 1030 or 1100 but this time around I have to get myself to bed a bit earlier.

"You need to be up earlier because you have to get two meals inside you before the game.

"You have to get your walk through which will probably take place at 1030.

"Everything just takes a step backwards. I've played in a handful of internationals at this time before and it's the same for both teams."

O'Driscoll will match the record set by Keith Wood for leading Ireland when he runs out at Murrayfield but the Leinster centre insists he has paid little attention to the statistic.

"I hadn't really thought about it too much. In fact, I hadn't really thought about it at all," he said.

"It'll be an honour to equal Fester (Keith Wood) but it's not something that I will dwell on too much."