Rugby:Brian O'Driscoll still believes there is a big performance in the Ireland team of 2011 and is hopeful it emerges on Saturday with a win over Grand Slam contenders England in Dublin.
England arrive at Aviva Stadium looking to complete their first clean sweep since 2003. Ireland are motivated by pride and fear after two defeats in four games left them in danger of equalling their worst Six Nations performance of 2008.
It is 12 years since Ireland last ended a championship without registering a win in Dublin. Having been edged by France in agonising circumstances last month, O'Driscoll is determined to avoid an ignominious conclusion to this year’s instalment.
"Any time we play England there's great passion," said the captain. "It's a big game, more so for England because there's a Slam at the end of it, but from our own point of view, it's another chance to play top-class opposition. We also have big motivation in that we lost our only other home game in this Six Nations to France and we don't want to lose two from two.
"If we needed added impetus, that will be right up there. When you win two and lose two and don't have anything tangible to play for - we're not going to win a championship or Triple Crown - it's an opportunity to build something heading into an important six or seven month period.
"We'd prefer to win more game than we lose in this Six Nations and that's what this game gives us the opportunity to do."
O'Driscoll repeated the team's mantra that from the wreckage of a frustrating period dating back to last year's Six Nations will emerge a top-class performance worthy of their potential.
"It might not happen for us in this Six Nations and we've run out of games, but we feel that if we keep working as hard as we have done, it will eventually happen for us," he said. "We've been good for 30-40-50 minutes, but not that full 80.
"I genuinely believe that performance is in us and is waiting to come out."
O'Driscoll led Ireland to the Grand Slam in 2009 and understands the pressure England will be under tomorrow.
"England will be realistic. They have a manager in Martin Johnson who's been there and done it. He'll be telling them that nothing's owed to them," he said. "They'll have to grab it and they'll treat the game much like we are - as just another 80 minutes.
"What will come after that final whistle will come. There's no point trying to put extra pressure on yourself. Just live in the moment and play the best rugby you can. The team that beat us in the 2003 Grand Slam decider in Dublin had been so close on a number of occasions, losing in just one game.
"They used the pain of those defeats to get them right for 2003. This team has been building for a few years and now Martin Johnson has settled on a team he's comfortable with."
O'Driscoll's Test future is the source of frequent speculation but the 32-year-old insists he has no intention of signing off just yet.
"I haven't planned on this being my last Six Nations game, but I don't take anything for granted anymore," he said. "The quality in this squad is better than ever. Both at provincial and Test level I felt more pressure from younger players coming through than ever before.
"That makes you perform better and puts extra pressure on you when you take to the pitch. You look at each international as your last and while you hope it won't be, only time will tell."
