O’Driscoll, 33, captained Ireland at the World Cup last year but in November he revealed that he would be undergoing shoulder surgery and would miss the entire RBS 6 Nations.

He is now back in training, targeting Leinster’s European quarter-final against Cardiff Blues in April, and was full of praise for his compatriots after their crushing 42-10 win over Italy on Saturday.

But O’Driscoll, who watched Ireland’s first match of the Championship from the President’s Box at Lansdowne Road, admits he prefers to tune in from his living room.

“Watching a match at home is a more comfortable experience, as I can shout and roar at the television with impunity and I don’t have to mind my P’s and Q’s,” wrote O’Driscoll in his diary for the Irish Rugby website.

“After the game on Monday I went into training and the lads were in good spirits; Leinster have managed two wins and a draw during the Six Nations so far.

“The international contingent also came in and they were very upbeat after the victory against Italy. It’s great to get some pitch time and train with other players rather than the coaches.

“It did remind me though how far I have to go, even down to skills and relearning defensive systems and calls.

“And no, I am not getting any special treatment in terms of the physical aspect of things, although there was no contact work during this session.”