All hail BOD as star bids farewell to home turf

The ovation that greeted Brian O’Driscoll at the Aviva Stadium yesterday came in jest from teammates, but the iconic rugby star is sure to receive a more heartfelt reception as he steps out on the same turf this afternoon for the last time in an Ireland jersey.

Yesterday’s round of ironic applause greeted O’Driscoll’s late arrival for a team photo, the veteran centre emerging last onto the pitch as Ireland wrapped up their preparations for the last home game of the Six Nations campaign against Italy. That will see a sold-out Aviva Stadium acknowledge the 35-year-old’s stellar career for Ireland over 15 years, in which he captained the side to four Triple Crowns and the 2009 Grand Slam.

It was a 20-year-old O’Driscoll who first represented his country on Irish soil at the old Lansdowne Road against Argentina on Aug 28, 1999.

Today, as he makes a world record 140th Test appearance with his reputation cemented as Ireland’s greatest rugby player, O’Driscoll will bid farewell to supporters in his final home test match, having long since announced he is to retire from the game completely at the end of Leinster’s season in May.

As for yesterday’s ovation, Ireland forward Jamie Heaslip said: “I think he was just milking it to be honest, we were just cold and waiting to take the picture — it wasn’t planned.”

Will there be tears from the players come the final whistle, when their former captain takes his leave of the Aviva Stadium pitch for the very last time? With one final Six Nations fixture to fulfil, against France in Paris next Saturday, when Ireland could win the title — providing they win today — Heaslip was not sure.

“I don’t know, there is still a lot to play for. I’m not really the crying kind, but you might get [long-standing centre partner] Gordon D’Arcy crying.”