Victory in Paris - Fairytale farewell

Sometimes the fates do smile and allow fairytale endings. Ireland’s victory in Paris on Saturday, only our third Six Nation win since 1985, was such an occasion.

Brian O’Driscoll was able to bookend his spectacular international career in the city where he announced his arrival with a hat-trick of tries 14 years ago with a man-of-the-match contribution to a famous victory.

In an age that too often venerates celebrity rather than substance his career has had a hugely positive influence on his peers and their ambitions. It was more than fitting then that his career in the green jersey should end on a high note in the Parisian spring.