We can be top ranked side in world, says O’Driscoll

ASK Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll for an insight into France’s outside-centre Tony Marsh, and the initial response may leave you a trifle underwhelmed.

"He speaks English," O'Driscoll quips with a trademark grin.

But the jest soon fades.

And, without prompting, he reveals his true thoughts on the New Zealand-born No. 13, who O'Driscoll will mark during Sunday's quarter-final clash at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

O'Driscoll respects Marsh's footballing skills, but that is just an aside to his remarkable battle with testicular cancer. From the initial diagnosis about 11 months ago, to surgery in March, to chemotherapy to the end of May, Marsh was given little chance of earning World Cup selection, let alone earning a starting berth in France's quarter-final starting XV. But he's there, fit and confident.

"It's quite amazing, I was very much thinking along those lines (that Marsh would not appear at the World Cup) when I first heard about it.

"When you get an illness as bad as that, rugby is secondary. For him to come back is fantastic for rugby. You'd never wish that on anyone, and I think he's returned as a fantastic player who is really on his game at the moment."

O'Driscoll, meanwhile, recalls that 39-point defeat at Stade de France Les Bleus' only victory over Ireland in their past four encounters. He'd like revenge. And there's that annoying historical reference that always surfaces around this time during Irish World Cup campaigns namely, they've never progressed beyond the quarter-finals.

"I'm sure we'll use that as motivation as the game gets closer," O'Driscoll said. "We don't want to be just another Irish side. We want to be remembered.

"Our goal is not just to reach the semi-finals. It's to win the competition. We believe that when we're on top of our game, we can do that. There's no point setting targets like reaching the semi-final and getting comfortable. When you get to this stage of the tournament, you get selfish. Obviously, if I think we can win the tournament, I think we can be the top-ranked side in the world."

The centre was in inspirational form last weekend, scoring a try and a drop goal as Ireland went down by a point to world champions Australia in their final Pool A game. But O'Driscoll says there is more to come.

"I think it was my best game in the World Cup so far," he said, "but I wouldn't say it was my best game for Ireland by leaps and bounds. I know that I can play better."

France have played some scintillating rugby on their way to the knock-out stages, coming through the pool stages unbeaten, and O'Driscoll and his team-mates are extremely wary of their opponents.

"I think everybody knows about the French flair. I would say they've been a little less flamboyant in recent years, and I think they'll be trying to get back into that mode."

O'Driscoll looked a little jaded yesterday as he answered questions in the team hotel. But the excitement level remains undiminished.

"Yeah, of course, but it's tough. I think the World Cup is all about peaks and troughs. We have been together for an awful long time, and early in the week is kind of hard. But, I know that come the weekend it will be different."