Six Nations Preview: Legend Brian O'Driscoll wary of Ireland's perceived 'easier' schedule:

Celebration time in Cardiff

"What's great about

 this (Six Nations) competition

 is that it's so

hard to win 5 games in a row" 

 - O'Driscoll

Brian O'Driscoll isn't getting excited about Ireland's 2011 RBS Six Nations schedule. Ireland welcome tradtionaly heavyweights France and England to Dublin, so odd numbered years are seen as easier for Ireland. 

But O’Driscoll says trips to Rome, Edinburgh and Cardiff have proved far from routine in recent times.
 

“You have a preference for playing the perceived stronger sides at home but at the same time

Brian O'Driscoll:  two tries from Five/Six Nations record

last year we managed to lose to Scotland at home,” he said.

“We only beat Wales in Cardiff two years ago when they had a penalty kick fall a yard and a half short of the posts in the final minute.

“I even remember we went nine points down in the first half of the Italy game two years ago.

Ireland head to Rome for their opening match of the championship against Italy on Saturday.

Despite a lengthy injury list that has robbed them of 12 Test players, they remain red-hot favourites to launch their Six Nations with a victory.

 O’Driscoll will lead the side out at Stadio Flaminio needing just two tries to equal Ian Smith’s individual championship record of 24 – a mark that has stood for 78 years.

“It’s not something that will have any bearing on how I play my game or how I go about this campaign or any others,” said O’Driscoll.

IRELAND's dramatic 2009 Grand Slam

“If tries come, grand, but it doesn’t really bother me which person scores them.

“I get as much enjoyment in creating a try as I do in scoring it.

“You probably get a bit more kudos when your name is in the paper the next day.

“But I’ve walked in a few easy tries in my time and those who tend to deserve the plaudits don’t usually get them.”