Brian O'Driscoll has warned that Ireland's away fixtures in this year's RBS Six Nations are not as straight forward as they seem.
Ireland captain's warning ahead of Rome clash
Brian O'Driscoll has warned that Ireland's away fixtures in this year's RBS Six Nations are not as straightforward as they seem.
With England and France - traditionally viewed as the competition's heavyweights - due to visit Lansdowne Road, odd number years are regarded as Ireland's best chance of winning.
"You have a preference for playing the perceived stronger sides at home but at the same time last year we managed to lose to Scotland at home," O'Driscoll said.
"What makes this tournament so great is that to win five games in a row is really tough. That's why it took us 61 years to do it for a second time."
Ireland's trips to Rome, Edinburgh and Cardiff have proved far from routine in recent times. They travel to Stadio Flaminio for their opening match of the championship against Italy on Saturday.
"I even remember we went nine points down in the first half of the Italy game two years ago," O'Driscoll said.
"We had to fight our way back with an interception try and eventually ground our way through."
Ireland then face the might of the French at home before back-to-back away trips to Scotland and Wales.
Tries
"Having watched what they did at Murrayfield last November (beating South Africa), we know that won't be an easy game," the Ireland captain said.
"We only beat Wales in Cardiff two years ago when they had a penalty kick fall a yard-and-a-half short of the posts in the final minute."
Despite a lengthy injury list that has robbed them of 12 Test players, Ireland go into their opening match as firm favourites. They will be hoping that the form of the Irish provinces in the Heineken Cup carries over into the Six Nations.
O'Driscoll will lead the side out in Rome needing just two tries to equal Ian Smith's individual championship record of 24 - a milestone that has stood for 78 years.
"It's not something that will have any bearing on how I play my game or how I go about this campaign or any others," said O'Driscoll.
"If tries come, grand, but it doesn't really bother me which person scores them."
"I get as much enjoyment in creating a try as I do in scoring it.
"You probably get a bit more kudos when your name is in the paper the next day. But I've walked in a few easy tries in my time and those who tend to deserve the plaudits don't usually get them."
