O'Driscoll wary of 'unlucky' Scotland
Brian O’Driscoll admits Scotland will be desperate to ruin the Croke Park farewell party when Ireland bring down the curtain on their RBS 6 Nations campaign tomorrow.
Four highly-successful years at the cathedral of Gaelic sport will come to an end this weekend with the team returning to a rebuilt Lansdowne Road in the autumn.
At stake for Ireland is a fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons and a runners-up finish for the sixth time this decade.
Such consistency has been matched by Scotland – but at the opposite end of the table – and once again they find themselves battling to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Scots are wondering why they have arrived in Dublin without wins over Wales, Italy and England in the bank – results that would have transformed tomorrow’s contest into a Triple Crown decider.
Despite their lack of success, however, captain O’Driscoll believes the influence of new head coach Andy Robinson is already having an impact.
“Andy is doing a great job. He did a great job at Edinburgh in turning them around and getting them playing some great stuff,” he said.
“They were very difficult to beat and there’s a similar policy with Scotland - building defensively alongside a very strong work ethic. It’s a good foundation to build from.
“They’ve been unlucky with some results but you only have to look back to November when they managed to beat Australia to realise they’re capable of big performances when the occasion arises.
“I’m sure they’ll see this as a big occasion and a good opportunity.”
If Scotland are condemned to bottom place tomorrow, Ireland’s record at Croke Park will read played 14, won 10, lost three and drawn one.
Included in those figures are victories over England, France and South Africa, a Grand Slam-winning season and three Triple Crowns.
“We’ve had some great days at Croke Park and some not so memorable ones, but that’s part and parcel of professional rugby,” said O’Driscoll.
“For the most part we have fantastic memories and part of us will definitely be sorry to say goodbye.”
Triple Crowns may have littered their recent history, yet the Irish camp has stressed all week that it remains a valuable prize.
Those claims are supported by statistics that show that until 2004, when the current golden period began, they had completed just five clean sweeps of the home unions with their last coming in 1985.
The pain of being routed by France, a result that all but ended their title defence, is fading but head coach Declan Kidney believes Scotland are capable of reopening the wounds of defeat.
“We lost in Paris but the way the lads have come back since then has been fantastic. The Triple Crown will be an added bonus,” he said.
“If the Triple Crown comes out of it, that will be brilliant.
“But all you have to do is look at the history of the Triple Crown to see how hard it is to win these three matches.
“I believe this is a very good Scots side that has improved no end and has many points to prove.
“They’re hugely physical. They come at you defensively so we’ll have to be very sharp in trying to take our scores.
“I don’t think there will be much in it at the end of the day.
“They’ve very big men and they’re hungry. You can’t coach hunger – it’s either in players or it’s not.
“This Scotland team is on the verge of something. We just have to make sure that it doesn’t happen tomorrow.”
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