BOD will want a grandstand Aviva finish, says Schmidt

All eyes may be straining forward towards Paris next month and a possible shot at the RBS Six Nations title, but there will be more than just the one box to tick when Italy come to Dublin seven days earlier.

Claiming the win – and by as wide a margin as possible – will obviously take priority but the day will be remembered come what may as Brian O’Driscoll’s last appearance in a green shirt in his home city.

Adding to the fanfare will be the fact that the veteran centre will break the world record for Test appearances which he now shares with Australia’s George Gregan since his appearance against England last Saturday.

Dealing with that will be a job in itself.

“We probably haven’t been great at celebrating personal milestones,” said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. “Rob Kearney’s 50th the other day, there was very little fanfare. I’m not sure it was really mentioned prior to the game. It was certainly mentioned post-game because it’s a monumental achievement.

“What Brian O’Driscoll has done, nobody else in Test rugby has ever done and seeing a fresh-faced little kid in a jersey that looked like it belonged on John Hayes score three tries against France some 14 years ago, it’s incredible to see where he’s come from and where he’s got to.

“So the emotion will be pretty well controlled because he will want to finish at home in front of his home crowd with a performance that is fitting based on the performances he has provided for Ireland for the last 15-odd years.

“He will keep the emotion in check and that will allow the players around him to do the same. He is the consumate professional.”