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BRIAN O’DRISCOLL isn’t everybody’s idea of the ideal Ireland captain, and some would go so far as to claim he is fortunate to be in the side at all.

While the first point is moot, the second is a load of nonsense and nobody is more entitled to wear the green jersey for the 89th time at Croke Park against France on Saturday than a player who has long been acknowledged as one of Ireland’s greatest and an individual who at the age of 30 still has a huge amount to offer the cause.

Given the week that’s in it, his captaincy role has been put on the back burner for now, although deep down O’Driscoll has to be aware that his performance in that respect will be under closer scrutiny than ever. He is quietly confident, though, that those around him will help to get the job done in satisfactory manner.