O'Driscoll eyes Triple Crown

Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll has urged his players to respond to their Grand Slam failure by claiming the next largest prize in European rugby – the RBS 6 Nations title.

Hopes of a first championship clean sweep since 1948 were reduced to rubble by France on Saturday but the Irish can still finish top of the pile when they play Wales in Cardiff.

Welsh strength and the mathematics involved suggest Ireland’s title bid is a long shot but O’Driscoll insists it is crucial for his side to win the tournament after finishing runners up for the last two seasons.

“The Grand Slam is gone but the championship and Triple Crown are still there to be won,” said the Leinster centre, who will captain Ireland for the 22nd time on Saturday.

“Everyone was deflated after the defeat by France because there has been so much hype – from inside and outside the squad – surrounding how well this team has performed over the last few years.

“To lose the way we did on Saturday was very deflating. But everyone has bounced back and realised there is nothing we can do about the past. We understand the potential left in this championship.

“Chasing the title and not the Grand Slam is not the perfect situation to be in, but it’s second best. We won the Triple Crown last year and now we want to reach the next level, which is the championship title.

“It would be wonderful if we could achieve that because this team wants to win some silverware.”

O’Driscoll has expressed his admiration for Wales’ performances during the Six Nations but believes they may face their toughest test yet as they shoulder the burden of being Grand Slam champions in waiting.

“I’ve been very impressed by Wales. They’ve been playing with confidence but have also shown fighting spirit when their backs have been against the walls,” said the 26-year-old Lion.

“They came good against France in the second half and responded very well when the pressure was on against England. They have proved they are the team to beat.

“But this last hurdle is going to present them with a mental challenge because there is definitely some psychology involved in completing the Grand Slam. We’re just there to win the Triple Crown.”

To win the title, Ireland must defeat Wales by at least 13 points and hope France beat Italy in Rome by a maximum of 42. For every point France’s total goes up, Ireland’s victory target increases by the same margin.

O’Driscoll insists, however, that his side’s solitary objective at the Millennium Stadium is to overcome Wales – anything more than that will be viewed as a bonus.

He said: “The only mindset we can have going into the match is to win. If we do that by one point, then we’ll be very happy because Wales are an extremely good rugby team.

“If we win by more than that, then fantastic. But we can’t go out there with the goal of scoring 13 points or more because it doesn’t work like that.”