O’Driscoll: ‘We Have To Come To Terms With Expectation’

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, speaking at today’s press conference in Dublin, feels his side have to ‘take the next step’ and that means victory against England tomorrow at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, speaking at today’s press conference in Dublin, feels his side have to ‘take the next step’ and that means victory against England tomorrow at Lansdowne Road.

Since losing 2003’s Six Nations title decider 42-6 to the men-in-white, the Irish have been rock-solid at their Dublin fortress – chalking up eight straight wins, including November’s scalp fo Tri-Nations champions South Africa.

Back-to-back wins against the World champions – with France defeated 24-18 by Wales in Paris today – guarantees the winner of the Lansdowne meeting fourth place in Monday’s IRB World rankings.

It would also mean Ireland’s odds on a first Grand Slam since 1948 will have further shortened, but O’Driscoll – set for his sixth Test against the English – is solely concerned with the eighty minutes ahead.

The 56-cap centre, whose hamstring successfully came through this week’s tract of training, said: “It is always good to get back to Lansdowne Road. Our first two games were away, and only six days apart, but we have got them out of the way and there is a great sense of anticipation surrounding this game.

“From the public’s point of view – it doesn’t get much bigger than Ireland against England. Two years ago, England showed their class, and last year at Twickenham, we were the better side. Both teams are in a pressure situation, with us looking for a third win in a row and England looking for their first victory.

“We have to come to terms with the expectation if we want to take the next step up, and become one of the better international sides,” he added.

While O’Driscoll will skipper the Irish for a 20th time, coach O’Sullivan is set for his 42nd match in charge of the men-in-green.

With 30 wins notched up since taking charge in 2002, O’Sullivan feels there will be an English backlash tomorrow afternoon.

”England have lost two games, but they lost them very closely. I think the French game would annoy them, but I believe the criticism will galvanise England and they will see Dublin as a chance to set the record straight,” he said.