Captain Brian O'Driscoll will win his 90th cap for Ireland when they face Italy in Rome on Sunday and insists it will be a tough scrap with a team England easily beat at Twickenham.

O'Driscoll returned to his best form against France in Croke Park, collecting a game-breaking try in a win that has set Ireland up for a tilt at Six Nations glory. However, he is taking nothing for granted in Rome and said: "I think we always treated them with the same respect we gave to everyone else. We realised every time we played them that it's always a very tough, physical game.

"Even a couple years ago [2007] when we put a big score on them [Ireland won 51-24], they were the last ones to score in the game. They'll fight and fight and fight. It's not over until it's over."

"A lot of the time it's the most physical game we play in the Six Nations. That being said, you have to confront that and match them at least in that regard.

"They're a team that try to stop you from playing so you have to work your game-plan into trying to get beyond that.

"They've shown that by taking scalps over the last few years against Wales and Scotland, and I'm sure they'll be taking a look at ourselves."