Ireland captain warns Wales he is going to play like his life depends on it ahead of crucial clash

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is mentally preparing himself to play his last game in the green jersey as he approaches his 100th cap for the green machine.

The 31-year-old super centre is set to complete his century of Test appearances against Wales in Saturday’s do-or-die Six Nations clash at Croke Park.

But Irish eyes need not stop smiling as the threat of ‘BOD’ hanging up his boots is only a mental motivational tool the inspirational captain uses to get himself in the ‘zone’.  And after defeat against France kicked into touch any hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams for O’Driscoll and Co, the Triple Crown is, realistically considering the form of the French, all the Irish have to fight for this campaign.

But the all-time great claims last year’s success and the way he approaches every game as if he’ll never play again makes
his Ireland side the favourites for Saturday’s crunch clash.

“I’m really enjoying my rugby,” said O’Driscoll, ahead of the game that will see him lead out his country for the 63rd time.

“Last year was fantastic - it makes things a lot easier when you win something that you’ve been trying to win for many years.

“I do know there is an end line in sight so now it’s about trying to attain as much as possible in that time.

“When you win your first cap it’s such a huge honour, especially at such a young age.

At the start you want as many as possible.

“For the last few years, every match I’ve played in a green jersey, I’ve approached it as though it was my last.

“You can’t go too far wrong with that attitude and I’m not done yet.”

However, no matter how much O’Driscoll is enjoying his rugby at the moment Wales skipper Martyn Williams is out to make sure his opposite number has an awful time on Saturday. And the Wales flanker believes patience will be critical in his side’s aim to ambush Ireland’s Triple Crown bid. However, in all three of their games so far Wales have, more often than not, looked second best.  

While Wales ultimately ran England and France close, only in the Scotland game did they fight back to win, albeit with a couple of converted touchdowns during injury time.

Those results ended any hope of securing a second Six Nations title in three seasons under coach Warren Gatland, but the runners-up spot could still be attained if they beat Ireland.

However, should the Dragons fail to beat last season’s Grand Slam champions next week’s Millennium Stadium appointment
with Italy would put Wales in the wooden spoon mix.

“I don’t think we are playing badly,” Williams said.

“But we haven’t helped ourselves.

“If we play with a little bit of control early on, we are confident we can cause sides problems.

“You have got to be patient at international level because defences are so good.

“We’ve got a gameplan for Saturday and, if we put that in place, I am sure we will cause Ireland problems.”