O'Driscoll 'should’ve been French’

If Brian O’Driscoll is expecting a teary-eyed farewell from the 80-odd thousand at the Stade de France today, then he may well get his wish.

During the course of the week, there was much hushed talk of a video tribute before the game on the big screens, a solo O’Driscoll entry on to the field ahead of the two teams and another grand tribute to him at the after-match dinner.

All that is missing is a blanket of gladioli drifting down from the stands and, of course, an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.