Vintage O’Driscoll leads rampant Irish closer to title in perfect Dublin adieu

IRELAND 46 ITALY 7

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL bade farewell to the Aviva Stadium with a man-of-thematch performance as Ireland put one hand firmly on the Six Nations trophy with a thumping seven-try demolition of Italy.

Ireland’s greatest-ever player passed George Gregan’s mark of 139 international appearances to become the most capped player of all time before turning in a virtuoso display.

The 35-year-old centre — who will play his last international match against France next Saturday when victory for Ireland will almost certainly see them secure the Championship — had a hand in three of his side’s first four tries before being substituted to a hero’s reception after 62 minutes.

‘I feel humbled by the reaction today,’ an emotional O’Driscoll said. ‘It seems a bit of a joke to get man-of-the-match for playing 60 minutes.

‘I’ve loved every minute of wearing this shirt and I’d dearly love to go out on a high next week. There is a Championship in this side.’

Fly-half Jonny Sexton scored two tries and kicked two conversions and a penalty while Andrew Trimble scored the game’s decisive try, created by O’Driscoll, just before halftime. Leonardo Sarto’s 25thminute try, to level at 7-7, had threatened to spoil O’Driscoll’s Dublin sign off.

But Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Fergus McFadden and Jack McGrath crossed as Ireland scored five second-half tries to claim their third win and extend their points difference to 81 — much greater than any of their title rivals .