And that was a rare case of crossed wires between the who 30-year-old D’Arcy says have developed a telepathic understanding over their 11-year international career.

"Fifty is just a number. You can be sure I won't be leading the team out," said D’Arcy.

"There are a lot of lads on the team closing in on the hundred cap mark, which is probably much more of an achievement.

"I've been around the same amount of time as them and have half the number of caps."I know the guy [O’Driscoll] inside out.

"It's probably the one partnership where the level of communication is lower than in most cases because we read body language.

"We trust each other implicitly and he knows if I'm going to hit him with a pass or not.
"He knows if he comes out I'll swing in behind and vice versa.

"The only way to face these guys is to stand toe to toe with them.

"If there is any bullying to be done, we will be doing it."