An Ireland win in Paris tonight would not only hand the men in green the Six Nations crown, it would also mean Brian O’Driscoll’s own career would end with a fitting sense of symmetry.
O’Driscoll’s first appearance at the Stade de France 14 years ago included a hat-trick of tries and Ireland’s only win on French soil in 42 years.
Since that Spring day in Saint Denis, the Leinster centre has marshalled the Irish midfield on five separate occasions against France in Paris, but has not emerged victorious since.
In an era when too many talented players flattered to deceive, the Dubliner delivered time and again.
O’Driscoll, world rugby’s record cap holder, already has one Six Nations winner’s medals, from 2009, and is also the tournament’s all-time top try scorer. He has also been on four British and Irish Lions tours, winning in Australia last year, while leading Leinster to three Heineken Cups and a host of other trophies.
Yet, merely listing his myriad achievements and medals in no way conveys his contribution to Irish rugby over the last 15 years.
Idolised in the Emerald Isle, he has made Ireland a genuine force on the international stage.
Blessed with a magical sidestep and an elusive running style, the 35-year-old has helped the Men in Green to some memorable wins, with only New Zealand missing from his overflowing CV of Test scalps.
Of course he has not done it on his own.
O’Driscoll owes a huge deal of thanks to centre partner Gordan D’Arcy, while Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara and Rob Kearney have also done their bit.
They probably should have won more than a solitary Grand Slam but O’Driscoll’s endearing appeal also owes itself to the way he has rebounded from setbacks.
There was never any malice in his reaction to the spear tackle that ended his Lions captaincy seconds into the first Test in New Zealand in 2005, while he handled his omission from the final game in Australia last summer with dignity.
Many players see their light dimmed by age but O’Driscoll has adapted, putting in a man of the match performance in his final game for Ireland in Dublin.
There were tears as he walked off the Aviva Stadium pitch and there may well be more tonight if the greatest northern hemisphere player of his generation is sent off into the sun-set with a second Six Nations.
