O'Driscoll's men ended 61 years of hurt in 2009 when a dramatic 17-15 victory in Cardiff against Wales ensured both the Triple Crown and first Grand Slam in over half a century would be heading to Dublin.

Kicking off against Italy at Croke Park this Saturday, Ireland now have the chance to etch their name into the history books as the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams since the Five Nations became the Six Nations in 2000.

Declan Kidney's men will be overwhelming favourites to start with a win this weekend, having beaten the Azzurri in all ten of their previous Six Nations encounters, their last being a 38-9 triumph in Italy last year.

But while the other nations are doing their best to pile the pressure on Ireland, O'Driscoll is adamant last year's success has revolutionised the thinking in the camp.

"Last year the Grand Slam was so special because I knew how hard it had been to win it," said O'Driscoll, who has amassed 96 Ireland caps and six for the British and Irish Lions during an illustrious career.

"Not just how hard it was during last year's actual Six Nations but also how hard it was leading up to it in all the campaigns where we have fallen short and the mental obstacles that have been placed in our way.

"You know that people want you to win, the Irish expect you to win, but that's just what Irish people are like.

"We aren't carrying the same weight of history on our shoulders though. Winning after 61 years was something we were desperate to do, something that was an "albatross round our necks.

"Now we have the chance to do something no team has done - win back-to-back Six Nations."

O'Driscoll will be joined in midfield by Leinster team mate Gordon D'Arcy, while Leo Cullen will start in the second row after Donncha O'Callaghan was ruled out with a knee injury.

Despite Ireland's record against the Azzurri, there will be no danger of taking their guests lightly this weekend, with Italy continuing to improve under the stewardship of their astute South African coach Nick Mallett.

Italy arrives in Dublin having just ended a 13-game losing streak, with a 24-6 win over Samoa and Mallett has stuck with the side that beat the Pacific Islanders.

Influential captain Sergio Parisse remains a long-term casualty so Treviso hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini takes the captain's armband.

Fly-half Craig Gower, who previously played rugby league for Australia, makes his Six Nations debut against the reigning champions forming a partnership with scrum-half Tito Tebaldi.