Victory over Scotland, in Ireland’s final outing at Croke Park before they return to Lansdowne Road, will give Declan Kidney's side their fifth clean sweep over the home unions in seven years.

And while it may not make up for surrendering the championship to champions-elect France, O’Driscoll is adamant his teammates will treat the game like a cup final.

“Declan Kidney mentioned he’s gone through a couple of decades when Ireland haven’t experienced a Triple Crown,” said O’Driscoll.

“This team isn’t blasé about the enormity of winning silverware in any way shape or form. It’s a common goal to win silverware whenever we can. That opportunity presents itself this weekend.

“I recognised the enormity of the Triple Crown when we won the first won in 2004 because of the long time since we’d won one before then.”

Mathematically Ireland can still retain the championship, but would need England to beat France while overhauling a points difference of 50.