With 100 Ireland caps under his belt, Brian O'Driscoll has taken his fair share of knocks but he remains the most influential outside-centre in world rugby.

Q. The Grand Slam, Heineken Cup and a terrific Lions Tour in the same year, was it difficult to motivate yourself after a season like that?

A. It was all the easier. When you come off winning things it gives you a taste and a hunger to go out and get more silverware so I look forward to trying to achieve the same things with country and province again this year.

Q. Is keeping injury-free becoming increasingly difficult?

A. I pick up niggles here and there but nothing different to usual. You can't do anything about the knocks you pick up in a game but I look after myself as much as possible afterwards now. Things change, your body shape changes, you learn a lot more and you get smarter. I suppose I might not have the same gas as I did as a 20-year-old but there are shortcuts to make up for that.

Q. Considering you have 96 caps for Ireland in ten years, 126 for Leinster seems comparably low; do you think this has helped you to maintain a consistently outstanding level of performance for Ireland?

A. The game-time factor is always a huge one. I suppose not being too drained has definitely helped the longevity of my international career but a lot of the games I do play in are high intensity. It's about getting the right balance and making sure that I am ready to perform at the peak of my game when I do play.

Q. The last Irish Six Nations victory in Paris came courtesy of your memorable hat-trick in 2000; can Ireland once again break that streak?

A. It's been a long time but we would like to think we have it in us. The whole thing is absolutely dependent on momentum. It's about who starts well, picks up confidence and then it's a snowball effect from there. All five games are so hard in their own way and to win back to-back is very difficult. But that's what makes it such a great competition '“ and a tough one to win. You won't win the Six Nations in the early games but you make things very tough for yourself if you lose.

Q. There is no easy game in the Six Nations but Italy in Dublin has to be a favourable draw.

A. Italy are very much an improved team these days but you would like to think if you play well you'll beat them. We have to make sure that we are the team to start with a purple patch and try to put them away. If they take a lead it can be very hard to chase them down.

Q. Your international disciplinary record is exemplary, why do you think England persisted in offending in last season's Six Nations?

A. Sometimes officials can look at a side and get it into their heads that they are constantly infringing. You have to be a little bit smart and play off the defensive line sometimes. I'm glad that Ireland's disciplinary record is good and we will just continue to try and achieve that.

Q. After forming such a devastating partnership with Wales' Jamie Roberts, do you look forward to playing against him?

A. When the time comes I look forward to playing against Jamie. You look forward to playing against all of your Lions squadmates, trying to remember some of the details of their game, what they like to do and where their weaknesses lie. I'm sure they do the same so it's very much like a game of chess but I look forward to playing against them and then catching up afterwards. Declan Kidney won the Grand Slam in his first year as head coach, how difficult will it be for him to mastermind a repeat this year? Declan certainly doesn't have a team lacking hunger. But you can never remain stagnant. It's a case of trying to change ideas, tweak a few things and hopefully improve on where we let ourselves down last year.

Q. It was widespread news that you considered playing club rugby in France after the 2005 Lions tour. Looking at the success of Jonny Wilkinson, does that still appeal?

A. I'm really enjoying my rugby at home. Winning the European Cup with Leinster last year was a lot sweeter than it would have been if it were with a club in France or elsewhere. I'm contracted to the 2011 World Cup so I haven't really thought beyond that.

Q. Do you enjoy relief fromthe captaincy role for The Lions and Leinster?

A. I don't treat things thatmuch differently. I still speak as much. I still have my voice and my opinion to get across. I suppose there is an added burden that comes with the title of captain but I have managed to do it 56 times for Ireland so I have learned to deal with the pressures of it and I try not to let myself get too stressed out about it.