BOD: Henshaw can fill No 13 shirt

Iconic centre Brian O’Driscoll is fully fit and ready to surpass George Gregan’s world record 139 Test cap haul in Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy on Saturday.

Although victory would be the perfect parting gift, the 35-year-old rebuffed any sentiment ahead of his final Ireland bow at the Aviva Stadium, before his summer retirement.

O’Driscoll instead turned the spotlight from himself when giving 20-year-old Connacht rising star Robbie Henshaw his blessing to be Ireland’s next “seasoned campaigner” at outside centre.