Six Nations: O’Driscoll is man to fear, admits French star

Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll has been singled out as the man who could leave France’s Grand Slam dreams in tatters in next month’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations finale.

The Leinster back has been acclaimed as the best centre in world rugby by his French opposite number Tony Marsh ahead of the Paris clash.

‘‘He scores tries from anywhere, and if you give him too much space he takes it every time,’’ warned Marsh.

‘‘He is Ireland’s strike weapon and will definitely be the man to watch.’’

O’Driscoll first served notice of his midfield talent with a hat-trick of tries in Ireland’s famous 27-25 victory in the Stade de France two years ago.

If the Irish can repeat that triumph it would not only wreck France’s hopes of a championship clean sweep for the first time since 1998 but almost certainly hand the title to England, who end their campaign against Italy.

Victory would also see Ireland snatch the runners-up spot for the second year in succession, given they already have a superior points difference tally to their hosts.

The Irish can largely thank their record at Lansdowne Road for that, with their three victories in Dublin this season yielding 129 points after Italy became the latest victims on Saturday.

Scrum-half Peter Stringer believes Ireland will need to transfer that home form into the cauldron of the Stade de France if they are to stand any chance of victory on Saturday week.

‘‘Some of our patterns didn’t come off and we didn’t get into the game as much as we would have liked,’’ Stringer said after the 32-17 victory over Italy.

‘‘But we have to be happy with three home wins in the Six Nations and hopefully we’ll carry that form to France in the next couple of weeks.’’

Right wing John Kelly marked his debut with a brace of tries, with fellow wing Denis Hickie chipping in with the other as Ireland ran out comfortable, if unconvincing, winners in a physical game.

Stringer was the main target of the Italians as he was flattened by a flying head-butt from Salvatore Perugini that should have earned the prop a red rather than yellow card while outside-half Diego Dominguez also caught him with his elbow.

But Stinger, who Italy claimed had stamped on opposite number Alessandro Troncon, shrugged off the bruising he took.

‘‘It was the heat of the battle so you expect these things to happen,’’ said the Munster number nine. ‘‘But I think I’ll be giving Italy a miss for my holidays.

‘‘We knew it would be tough from the start and they compete for a lot of ball in the rucks and sometimes it was difficult to get out of the way.

‘‘There was a lot of heat in the game and they were definitely fired up for this one. They haven’t won a game in the Six Nations this year and they probably targeted this one as a win.

‘‘They still have to play England and they would have thought this is the game they wanted to win.’’