 O'Driscoll is preparing for his seventh Six Nations as captain |
Brian O'Driscoll insists he had no hesitation in continuing to captain Ireland for the 2009 RBS Six Nations. The centre, who has led his country a record 51 times, was reappointed by Declan Kidney despite speculation the coach might look elsewhere. "When he offered it to me it wasn't a difficult decision," said O'Driscoll, 30 last week. "I've loved it every time I've pulled a green jersey on. "As long as there's that enthusiasm I'll continue to want to do the job." O'Driscoll, who has won 88 caps since his debut in the summer of 1999, stepped down as Leinster captain last August, with Leo Cullen taking over.  | I'm probably more comfortable that I was but I'm fortunate that I get a lot of help |
"I stepped down at my province to concentrate on my own game as I thought I had too much on my plate," he explained. "But I've always enjoyed coming into international camp and having a heavy involvement. "I can't really remember what it was like not being captain, it has been a lot of years and that says a lot in itself. "But I still find it such a huge honour and it puts a pep in my step in the morning every time I go into camp." O'Driscoll stood in for injured skipper Keith Wood in 2002 and 2003 and then took over the captaincy full-time in early 2004 when the legendary hooker retired. One of rugby's bona-fide superstars had immediate success with 12 victories in his first 13 games as captain, and inspired Ireland to Triple Crowns in 2004, 2006 and 2007. "I probably enjoy it more than I used to," he admitted at Wednesday's 2009 RBS Six Nations launch. | 606: DEBATE |
"I'm probably more comfortable that I was in the early days but I'm fortunate that I get a lot of help. "A lot of our senior players like guys like Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Rory Best have been captains of their province and I count on their experience and expertise." O'Connell, Kidney's skipper while he was Munster coach, was favoured to succeed O'Driscoll at international level. "I had to give Brian time to make up his mind because the captaincy is a very demanding role," explained Kidney. After concluding their first three games under his command with a feisty win over Argentina in the autumn, Ireland once again return to the task of trying to secure an elusive Six Nations title. | We're a small country, we'll give it our best shot and we'll have some fun doing it Ireland coach Declan Kidney |
They have not won the Championship since 1985 but Kidney believes accusations they are the 'nearly men' of the Six Nations are unfair. "There has never been such a good period in Irish rugby as the last six years. We have won three Triple Crowns and come close to a Grand Slam twice - that will do me fine. "All we can do is play to the best of our ability and how that measures up against France (in their opening match a week on Saturday, 7 February) is our only concern right now. "It is nice people expect because it shows a belief in our ability but I think you have to be realistic as well. "There is a great sporting tradition in Ireland as we play hurling, football, soccer and rugby goes along with that. "But rugby has grown in popularity over the years. "The truth is we have four professional teams and a lot of sides we play against, either rugby is their primary game or countries like France have 14 top-level professional teams and England have 12. "So we're trying to compete against them. We're a small country, we'll give it our best shot and we'll have some fun doing it."
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