Rugby:A lot of blood, sweat and tears have passed under the bridge since making his debut as a fresh-faced youth in 1999, but as he approaches a century of appearances in the Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll is enjoying his rugby as much as ever.
The talismanic Irish captain wins his 100th cap against Wales on Saturday and admitted today his career has been invigorated by last season’s Grand Slam triumph.
O’Driscoll will become the 14th player to join the ranks of rugby’s centurions when he leads Ireland out for the 63rd time at Croke Park.
Although the twilight years may now be upon him, O’Driscoll refuses to consider retirement as long as he remains a force to be reckoned with.
“I’m really enjoying my rugby,” O’Driscoll told reporters today. “Last year was fantastic - it makes things a lot easier when you win something that you’ve been trying to win for many years.
“That success makes you enjoy things more and you become more selfish. I do know there is an end line in sight so now it’s about trying to attain as much as possible in that time.
“I love getting out on the pitch every day. Exercising for a living is pretty good. When you win your first cap it’s such a huge honour, especially at such a young age. At the start you want as many as possible.
“Then your mindset changes to you want to win as much as possible to keep getting those caps. If the 100 comes well and good, but you never set out looking to reach that level.”
O’Driscoll has repeatedly stated he will wait until his career is over before reflecting on his achievements and heartaches, but today he was happy to muse on his swirling fortunes.
Inevitably, the famous hat-trick against France a decade ago that heralded his arrival as a formidable talent ranks highly.
“I won’t forget the second half of the game in Cardiff last year when we won the Grand Slam in a hurry,” he said. “That match against France in Paris 10 years ago also stands out because it’s only in subsequent years that I’ve realised how big a triumph it was.
“Along the way I’ve been involved in some great occasions and experienced some great changing room atmospheres. It’s something that players only get to appreciate. On the downside, in the early years we had a couple of bad defeats at Twickenham and I don’t have great memories from the 2007 World Cup.
“Missing out on being part of the first game at Croke Park was hugely disappointing. I’ve had my low days but over the course of my career, the highs have outweighed the lows.”
Ireland made just one change to the 22 that defeated England 20-16 at Twickenham with Rob Kearney, available after recovering from a knee injury, replacing Andrew Trimble on the bench.