RBS SIX NATIONS: Ireland v Wales
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Date: Saturday, 13 March Kick-off: 1430 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website; Radio 5 live, Radio Wales, Radio Ulster MW and Radio Cymru; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
 Brian O'Driscoll in relaxed mood at Friday's press conference in Dublin |
Brian O'Driscoll has played down the significance of him winning his 100th Ireland cap in Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales. "I don't see any reason to get caught up in the hype," said O'Driscoll ahead of the clash at Croke Park. "For the moment I'm just treating it as another week and enjoying it. "It's nice getting a lot of text messages coming in from past players and coaches. It's lovely from that point of view." Two weeks ago, John Hayes became the first player to reach 100 Ireland caps as he lined out in the 20-16 victory over England at Twickenham and O'Driscoll joked that veteran prop deserved more plaudits than him. "Someone said to me '101 Test matches is more impressive than a hundred'. So maybe John Hayes should be the one that's up here," said O'Driscoll at Friday's pre-match press conference, O'Driscoll, who will captain Ireland for the 63rd time on Saturday, has repeatedly put his body on the line in his country's cause.  | 606: DEBATE |
Only a fortnight ago, against England, he appeared to be knocked out cold after his head accidentally hit the knee of Ireland team-mate Paul O'Connell. "When you are a professional athlete, there's always the fear you could have an injury that puts an end to your career or you can't evolve with the game or other people come in who are better than you to replace you," added the 31-year-old. "I didn't set a target in 1999 that I wanted to achieve 100 Test matches. "A few years ago I thought it would be really nice to make a hundred. "But I haven't gone 'I want to achieve 120', I'm just going game by game and really enjoying it still." Ireland coach Declan Kidney said it was difficult to assess O'Driscoll's contribution to Irish rugby. "I'd probably do it a disservice," added the Ireland coach. "He's imparted his own knowledge as he's getting older to some of the younger fellas and that's a generosity that isn't always seen on top of his performances." | Wales will feel they will have a big performance left in them |
Defeat by France ended Ireland's hopes of consecutive Grand Slams but the win at Twickenham kept Ireland on course for another Triple Crown as well as the possibility of still retaining the Six Nations Championship title. However, O'Driscoll insisted: "There's still a hell of a lot of work to do. "Wales have produced some scintillating parts to their game and they'll feel they will have a big performance left in them. "Even a 'weak' Welsh side in my eyes is never really weak." Kidney added he did not expect Wales to play more conservatively this weekend. "The first ball they get, if it's a good ball, they will come at us like they always do," Kidney said. "In golfing parlance, there's a few balls that have rimmed out of the hole in the last match or two. "But some days they could all go down and have a very tidy round."
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