Landmarks barely raise a flicker of consciousness in a professional sportsperson still plying their trade, for to dwell on them suggests a slight negativity in philosophy. Few would countenance a career apex while still in their 20s.

It was therefore unsurprising that Brian O'Driscoll deflected the recognition of equalling Keith Wood's record of captaining Ireland for a 36th time, when he leads the team out against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, with a smile.

"I hadn't really thought about it too much; in fact I hadn't really thought about it at all. It'll be an honour again to equal Fester (Keith Wood) but it's not something that I will dwell on too much."

Having addressed the statistical housekeeping, O'Driscoll set about debunking the assertion that the Scots would provide a safe passage to Ireland's ninth Triple Crown. "I think overwhelming (favourites) would be a little strong. Of course we are going to be favourites considering the results but you have to appreciate the fact - well I do - that on occasions against Scotland, they have turned up wanting to win more than we did.

"Sometimes it's down to how people feel on the day and how much someone wants it on the day. That will to win can be pretty strong and if you have that in 15 guys, it's pretty hard to break them down irrespective of whether you are favourites or not."

Scotland's six-minute version of rugby hara-kiri against Italy in Edinburgh during the last round of matches doesn't mean they're going to dispense further largesse this weekend. Ireland's captain is well aware that a backlash is a more likely reaction.

Those opening throes of the Italian match from a Scottish perspective may be viewed at some point in the future on a Sky television docu-drama bearing a heading like, When Attacking Gambits Go Pear-Shaped - The Full Horror. It proved a case for the home side of a block down, a couple of interceptions and 21 points, racing to the point of no return while punters were still unscrewing their hipflasks. At that point it became medicinal in every sense of the word.

O'Driscoll pointed out: "They realised that Italy were going to come at them hard and fast. Scotland tried to go around them. I spoke to Chris Paterson last week and he said they knew that Italy were going to be flying up and it was a pre-planned chip over the top in the first few minutes just to keep them honest.

"It just shows that games can hinge on little moments like that. It went from bad to worse for them. I don't think they will have the same gameplan as they did against Italy because our defensive system is different. You have got to treat each team, each week differently and I think they'll do that."

While the earlier kick-off time of 1.30 may curb a little of the pre-match revelry on the day, it impacts to a fare greater degree on the team in terms of their preparations. O'Driscoll smiled: "You have to eat mashed potato for breakfast, which isn't ideal.

"I think it is a lot harder playing at 1.30. Personally, I can't get to sleep the night before games until I am tired, which can be 1.30am or 2am: I like to have a lie-in until 10.30 or 11.0. It's gone this time around so I will have to get myself to bed a little bit earlier.

"You will be up because you have to get two meals into you before the game and have your walk though, probably about 10.30. Everything takes a step back (in terms of time) but it is the same for both sides. I have played in a handful of internationals at this time before. Playing is still playing so you realise what it is and get on with it."

Despite conceding an early penalty against England, Ireland started the match at a higher tempo unlike the games against Wales and France where they were very much on the back foot in the early exchanges. It's a reversal the Irish captain would like to see continue.

"We gave away a silly early penalty (against England) but there weren't panic stations from anyone on the pitch. It was just a case of play your way into the game and we managed to do that in chipping away on the scoreboard. We got three, six, nine points and then the try.

"I had spoken during the week about that is how a good side work things. There have been plenty of times when I have seen England do that. They keep the scoreboard ticking over. It was nice to do their sort of job on them. All of a sudden you get that try and 16-3 makes a hell of a lot of difference. It was pleasing but there is always room for improvement.

"Ideally we'd love to be the team that scores first. I think the start will be massive in setting the tone on the weekend. The team that comes out of the blocks first will get the impetus and games can often hinge on starts, as we know. We'll have to make sure our start is better than theirs." As an extra incentive, Scottish captain and placekicker Chris Paterson boasts the best accuracy stats in this season's Six Nations. One landmark with which the Ireland captain is well versed.