Healy hoping to send Drico out on a high

The next three months could well be dominated by two words: thanks, Brian.

The Brian O’Driscoll farewell party is in full swing, even though it has not been confirmed that the centre will be retiring after the Lions tour this summer.

If this is the end then how better to bow out than with victories in the Amlin Challenge Cup and RaboDirect Pro 12 with Leinster, followed by the tantalising possibility of a victorious Lions tour after three successive defeats?