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Brian O’Driscoll lifts the Six Nations trophy at the Stade de France following his final game for Ireland in March. Photo: AP

Brian O’Driscoll aims for final flourish for Leinster against Glasgow

Retiring Ireland and Lions great aiming to clinch a fourth Celtic League title

AFP

Brian O'Driscoll is hoping to follow Jonny Wilkinson's example and sign off on a remarkable career with a silver lining when Leinster face Glasgow in the RaboDirect PRO12 final at the Royal Dublin Society ground on Saturday.

The Ireland and British & Irish Lions great is set to bring down the curtain on one of the greatest modern-day rugby careers when he dons the Leinster blue for the 186th and last time in his final match before retirement.

And with it, he aims to clinch a fourth Celtic League title to match the retiring Wilkinson's departing triumph in the European Cup final in Cardiff last weekend.

You can only ask for opportunities to be in finals and win them, but the rest is up to you. Then you hope to get the job done
Brian O’Driscoll

This season has seen the 35-year-old O'Driscoll become the world's most-capped player with 141 appearance for Ireland and the Lions, and claim a second Six Nations title. The centre also has three European Cup winners' medals in his locker.

"I feel good and it's nice to have one more final to play for. It will be tough, but it's nice to have it at home," said O'Driscoll of a match that will take place in Leinster's own back yard.

"You can only ask for opportunities to be in finals and win them, but the rest is up to you. Then you hope to get the job done."

Former European champions Leinster have been the dominant force in Celtic rugby, this being their fifth domestic final in a row.

In contrast, Glasgow are the first Scottish side to reach this stage having been knocked out by Leinster, 17-15, in last season's semi-finals.

However, they are a team in form on the back of nine successive victories, including a dramatic one-point triumph over Munster in the semi-final, as they aim to spoil the party in Dublin.

"We've got a great team, a great squad and we can do it, but it's just about having the right level of readiness - not being over the top and too excited - but being clinical and doing your job with absolute pin-point accuracy," said Glasgow wing Sean Lamont.

"I've been trying for long enough to get some silverware, Gregor [Townsend, the Warriors' coach and former Scotland back] really wants it as well, so the desire is there.

"We've got a lot of guys who have been capped internationally and this is basically a test match.

"There is nowhere after this - it's all or nothing, winner-takes-all, and there is no comeback. It's either bridesmaid or bride."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: O'Driscoll aims for final flourish with Leinster
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