21 March 2009; Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll celebrates after victory over Wales. RBS Six Nations Championship, Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

7 April 1999; Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll. Ireland Rugby Squad Training, Greystones RFC, Co. Wicklow. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

4 March 2000; Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll celebrates after defeating Italy. Six Nations Rugby International, Ireland v Italy, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

7 May 2009; Her Majesty the Queen is introduced to 1948 Ireland Grand Slam team member Jimmy Nelson, in the company of 2009 team captain Brian O’Driscoll and Philip Browne, Chief Executive of the IRFU, during a Civic Reception for the Ireland rugby squad. Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough, Co. Down. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

1 September 2011; Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll steps off the aeroplane in front of the Remarkable Mountains on the team’s arrival in Queenstown Airport. Ireland Rugby Squad arrive in New Zealand for 2011 Rugby World Cup, Queenstown, New Zealand. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

6 July 2013; British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland, right, and Brian O’Driscoll following the game. British & Irish Lions Tour 2013, 3rd Test, Australia v British & Irish Lions. ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE