O’Driscoll became only the 13th player to become an international rugby centurion when he led Ireland out at Croke Park for their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.

The 2009 Grand Slam winning skipper had been keen to play down the milestone prior to the game but described the feeling as ‘massive’ when interviewed after the match.

Victory, thanks largely to two Keith Earls tries, was the icing on the cake and O’Driscoll revealed Ireland had been waiting for this match ever since Wales won 16-8 on Irish soil during the 2008 Six Nations.

"That was a different feeling, probably more emotional than I thought it would be," he said.

"It was a fantastic feeling and it's a massive, massive honour to have played for my country 100 times.

"The reception on the way out was an extra on winning the game.

“But it was about the game and we played very well, clinically, and took our chances.

"Croke has been a brilliant place for us and losing here to Wales two years ago wounded us. We have put that right.

"We now have the Triple Crown to play for and maybe even the Championship."