O’Driscoll focused on task ahead (From Western Telegraph)

O’Driscoll focused on task ahead

12:00pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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Brian O’Driscoll would rather focus on leading Ireland to victory over Wales in today’s RBS 6 Nations clash than dwell on the special milestone he is about to reach.

O’Driscoll will win his 100th cap today, becoming the 13th player to join the ranks of rugby’s centurions and Ireland’s second after John Hayes pipped him to the achievement against England a fortnight ago.

The enduringly-brilliant 31-year-old, who has already sealed his position as an all-time great, has been showered with tributes this week.

His consistency in over a decade of Test rugby has been remarkable, as are the durability and bravery that have matched his attacking genius.

But O’Driscoll, who will be captaining Ireland for the 63rd time tomorrow, refuses to be immersed in the latest landmark of a career littered with highlights.

“I’m just looking forward to another game,” he said.

“The time to think about these sort of things is when you’re sitting on the coach during retirement.

“I’m just treating it as another week and enjoying it as any other match.

“It’s nice getting lots of text messages coming in from past players and past legends and friends of the game.

“That’s lovely and makes it a bit different to other Test matches but I don’t see any reason to get caught up in the hype of it all.

“Playing 101 Test matches is more impressive than 100, so John Hayes should be up there.’’ O’Driscoll has accumulated 105 caps if his six for the Lions are included, is the world’s top try-scoring centre with 38 and is second only to John Smit of South Africa by five matches in length of service as a captain.

“I didn’t set the target in 1999 that I wanted to play 100 Test matches,” he said.

“I just went through each Test match and enjoyed it. They started totting up.

“I suppose a few years ago it would be nice to reach 100. I’m not looking at 120 caps either - I’m just taking it game by game.”