O'Driscoll revels in Irish success

The Irish captain scored one try and wing Tommy Bowe the other as Ireland made history by beating Wales 17-15 in an epic RBS 6 Nations decider at the Millennium Stadium. For O'Driscoll it was the culmination of 10 years in which his Irish team have been the nearly men of the Six Nations, three times spurning chances to take the title.

He said: "It's a fantastic feeling and just reward for the hard work we've put in through a lot of years. We've had good times and not so good times, but this is a great time."

He added: "We're just absolutely delighted that we've reached our goal. We wanted the big one and it's nice to say you're the one that has achieved the Grand Slam."

Saturday's clash could not have been tighter - Wales led 6-0 at half-time through two penalties from fly-half Stephen Jones.

But then Ireland wrested control with their two tries in three minutes just after the interval, both of which were converted by Ronan O'Gara. It gave Ireland a 14-6 lead, before Jones kicked two penalties and then appeared to wreck the Irish dreams with a late drop goal.

The drama, however, was not over, O'Gara slotting over a late drop goal of his own and then Jones agonisingly missing a penalty with the last kick of the match eight minutes into injury time.

It sparked wild celebrations amid the green ranks inside the Millennium Stadium and desperate disappointment for the Welsh who were robbed of the title and finished fourth in the Championship table.

O'Driscoll said: "We could have lost at the death so the shock factor set in for a few seconds and then over the next few minutes we enjoyed the elation with team-mates, ones you've put your body on the line for.

"That's the most important thing, to be able to look them in the face and know you've put your body on the line. That's pretty sweet."