Grand Slam win lights up Brian O'Driscoll's century

Published on Tuesday 9 March 2010 22:20

BRIAN O'Driscoll collects his 100th cap for Ireland this weekend admitting his career has been invigorated by last season's Grand Slam triumph.

O'Driscoll will become the 14th player to join the ranks of rugby's centurions when he leads Ireland out for the 63rd time in Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales at Croke Park.

The enduringly brilliant 31-year-old, who is known for his durability and courage as much as his attacking gifts, was close to his dazzling best last season in spearheading Ireland's march to the Grand Slam – the highlight of a 11-year Test career littered with headline moments.

"Last year was fantastic – it makes things a lot easier when you win something that you've been trying to win for many years. When you win your first cap it's such a huge honour, especially at such a young age. At the start you want as many as possible. Then your mindset changes to you want to win as much as possible to keep getting those caps.

"For a number of years every match I've played in a green jersey has been approached as though it was my last. You can't go too far wrong with that attitude and I'm not done yet. I'll play for as long as the body allows."

Inevitably, the famous hat-trick against France a decade ago that heralded his arrival as a formidable talent ranks as a career highlight for O'Driscoll, but there are many more.

"I won't forget the second half of the game in Cardiff last year when we won the Grand Slam in a hurry," he said.

"That match against France in Paris 10 years ago also stands out because it's only in subsequent years that I've realised how big a triumph it was."

O'Driscoll, who names Australia legend Tim Horan as his most dangerous opponent, first led Ireland in November 2002, marking the occasion with an 18-9 victory over the Wallabies.

Ireland make just one change to the 22 that defeated England 20-16 at Twickenham with Rob Kearney, available after recovering from a knee injury, replacing Andrew Trimble on the bench.

Ireland (team to play Wales in the RBS Six Nations at Croke Park on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm): G Murphy (Leicester); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Subs: S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), R Kearney (Leinster).

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys) J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), R Rees (Cardiff Blues); P James (Ospreys), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues, captain), G Delve (Gloucester). Subs: H Bennett (Ospreys), R Gill (Saracens), I Gough (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), D Peel (Sale), A Bishop (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).