DUBLIN // Irish rugby union legend Brian O’Driscoll received a standing ovation when he was replaced on the hour mark during the 46-7 Six Nations victory over Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The 35-year-old centre – who won a record 140th cap when he took to the pitch – created three of Ireland's tries to bow out on a high note on his last Test appearance in front of his home crowd.
He was named man of the match to no great surprise and which elicited a smile and a wink to the cameras.
“A bit of a joke really to be man of the match after just 60 minutes,” said the Leinster stalwart with a grin.
O’Driscoll said that he had tried to avoid thinking too much about what it would be like to bow out on what has been his home ground both for country and for his province, Leinster.
“I haven’t really let myself think about it, you know. It is emotional,” he said.
“It has been a huge part of my whole adult life and to leave here is going to be hard. But it is a good way to leave and sets it up nicely for next week.
“I feel humbled by the reaction today. I have loved my time playing in this jersey, it has to come to an end at some stage and I am happy to go out with a big win.
“It will only properly sink in I think when I have had a bit of time.”
O’Driscoll said that the Ireland team now needed to go to France with positive thoughts of reliving what happened in 2000 when they won in Paris for the first time in 28 years.
“It is one thing playing in this jersey but it is another thing altogether winning in this jersey,” he said of the game next Saturday in Paris that will bring his international career to an end.
The Paris game will be Ireland’s last of the 2014 Six Nations and victory could see them seal the title as they have an advantage in points difference.
Saturday’s 27-point victory gives Ireland a commanding plus-60 points difference at the top of the table.
With just one win in Paris in 42 years when O’Driscoll scored a hat-trick of tries the Joe Schmidt coached Ireland know that they still have it all to do.
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Scotland suffered last-gasp heartache as France snatched a 19-17 Six Nations win at Murrayfield after Jean Marc Doussain, right, kicked the winning penalty with just 90 seconds left.
Scott Johnson’s men scored twice in the first half through Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour to leave championship-chasing France shocked at the break.
But Duncan Weir’s error let in Yoann Huget to score and, despite standoff Weir then nailing a nerveless penalty to put Scotland back ahead, Doussain’s late kick and 11 points from the boot of scrum-half Maxime Machenaud sealed France’s third win of the tournament.
France coach Philippe Saint Andre said: “Fair play to Scotland, they play very well with a lot of spirit. They score two good tries. Our discipline was good and at the end we managed to win but I can’t say it was our best game.”
France host Ireland in Paris next week with both vying for this year’s title.
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