Johnny Watterson talks to Brendan Mullin, who could see the Irish try record he shares with Brian O'Driscoll being overtaken against Argentina.

As things stand, Brian O'Driscoll and Brendan Mullin have never been closer. Blackrock boys. Outside centres. Lions both and joint-record try scorers for Ireland. Their principal difference has been a generational one, their similarity being careers that are almost synonymous with blue-blooded rugby achievement.

Today two great players could pass each other by, both privately aware of his place, one of them part of the historical fabric, one still getting there and at every step leaving indelible prints.

As O'Driscoll lines out against Argentina, the 23-year-old Irish captain has already equalled the scoring record of Mullin with 17 tries. Another touch down will set the bar higher. After just over three years as an international, is anyone surprised?

"I think records are definitely a measure for players," says Mullin. "To some degree they have value because they set parameters. As an individual playing in a team sport, there are not that many you can set.

"Every player takes pride in tries, caps, points, but records are made to be established and broken. To me, Brian's try scoring is a demonstration of the current team and the player he is. He is playing great rugby and has played that way consistently for three seasons. I think that is a mark of how good he is. He's still only 23 but is remarkably mature as a player."

When Mullin kicked his last ball for Ireland in the 1995 World Cup, he was 28, and had earned 55 Irish caps. O'Driscoll left the 30-cap mark behind against World champions Australia, which puts him on a scoring fast-track compared with his predecessor.

"I think there are a number of interesting points to be made," says Mullin. "Brian is playing in a more successful Irish side to the one in the late 1980s and 1990s, and I'd say that is a key factor. I remember having a conversation with Jeremy Guscott, whose strike rate was in the early 20s at a time when we both had a similar number of caps. My point was that he was playing in a good English side that was winning."

Twice O'Driscoll has scored international hat-tricks. In the 2000 Six Nations he ran in three against France, and facing Scotland in the 2002 competition he again touched down three times.

He repeated the feat in Ireland's opening game against a Divisional XV in this summer's tour to New Zealand.

"He'd also be getting quicker ball. A lot of Brian's tries come off that," says Mullin. "But I'd have no regrets if he or Denis Hickie or any of the others happens to break the record. I think Brian is an outstanding player. He's got great pace and skills. That is one thing I noticed about him when I saw him playing for UCD a few years ago and it's something all great players have. Pace. He could leave players behind. Now, he's not only proved that he can play at international level but has shown he can dominate for Ireland and for the Lions. His current strike rate is very, very good - three tries against France in the Six Nations. That's good going."

The backs say the pack grinding at the coal face earn them the chances. The forwards point to a back line burning with eagerness to explore opposition defences. Both tip their hats to the coaches and game planners. Mullin agrees.

"I got some quiet pleasure out of looking at what Brian said last week about the school and club and the country. And I think the chances of that happening again are miniscule. I'm happy that he will take the record and I think he has been helped there by Eddie O'Sullivan. Eddie is such a meticulous coach and I believe he has assisted players like Brian and Denis. No doubt, Brian has stepped up to the mark."