BRIAN O’Driscoll has challenged Ireland’s rugby talent of the future to break his all-time Test appearances record.
When the 35-year-old walks onto the pitch to face Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, he will break former Australian scrum-half George Gregan’s record by winning his 140th cap.
Ahead of the fixture, O'Driscoll said: “All going well, hopefully I’ll get the record this weekend I’m sure it will be broken another time. Lots of guys now are over the 100-cap mark and still playing, and still playing well.
“There’s always scope for guys to break records.
“If guys look after themselves and maintain their fitness for 15 years I think you will see the 150-cap mark broken.
“I can’t see it being a bad thing, someone being consistently good, enough to stay in the competition environment, for 14 or 15 years. So I would definitely say I encourage it.”
This weekend’s match in Dublin will be O’Driscoll’s final time playing at home in an Ireland shirt, before he ends his international career altogether in Paris a week later at the close of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.
The former Ireland captain said that he will not let the emotion surrounding his last international game affect his preparation for it.
"This doesn't feel any different, yes I'm excited about it being the last home game for sure and it will be one to remember but more importantly it's an opportunity to put us in a situation where we can win the Six Nations.
"I really won't be thinking about final games until the Championship is done and dusted and there will be plenty of time to reflect on it afterwards." O'Driscoll said.
"Whatever emotions I have after that will happen organically, you can't force emotion yourself you just have to go with the flow and yes, aspects will be difficult and there will be sadness but I'll wait for Saturday afternoon."
He took part in training yesterday at Carton House, dismissing concerns about his fitness after he suffered cramping in his calf towards the end of the game against England at Twickenham ten days ago.
"Any time something happens in an international, you don't have much time to get over it so there was a little bit of apprehension," he said.
"I know my body pretty well and I know different levels of strain, I know when to stop training sessions and carry on when there is a bit of soreness so it comes with having been in that situation before but thankfully I caught it in time and returning to full training."
Ireland v Italy - Saturday 8 March, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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