This year however, he will not captain Ireland after Declan Kidney appointed Jamie Heaslip as skipper in O’Driscoll’s absence in the autumn and chose to keep the Leinster No.8 in the job for the RBS 6 Nations.

O’Driscoll also missed last year’s competition but he remains Ireland’s record try scorer, record caps holder and he holds the record for the most starts in RBS 6 Nations history – 55.

His contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union expires in the summer however, and O’Driscoll admits he could well be hanging up his boots.

“There's a strong possibility it could be my last,” he said.

“There's every chance it's my last Six Nations but I haven't really allowed myself to start thinking about finishing.

“If you start thinking about it too early, you're one foot into retirement already. I'm contracted [with the Irish Rugby Football Union] until the summer and I'll see how my body feels.”