Leinster and Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll said yesterday that he hopes that playing in Croke Park next year against England and France in the Six Nations championship will help the Irish team achieve their goal of winning a grand slam.

"I'd like to think this team has a slam in it, but it doesn't just come to you, you've got to go earn it", he said. "Hopefully the games against England and France that are going to Croke Park will be a massive bonus for us, having that much Irish support. I guess it is just the passion and the history behind it. A lot of the boys would have gone and seen games there; seen the fanaticism that the hurling and football fans show and just know that there is an aura about the place."

O'Driscoll, speaking at yesterday's launch of the Heineken Cup in London went on to say that he was unsure that the decision to allow rugby in Croke Park would ever be made and that lining out in the home of GAA will be an honour for him and his team-mates. "I think as well that we feel we are incredibly fortunate to be allowed to play there. It is almost like it being an honour to be able to line out in Croke Park. Hopefully it will give us a feeling of not wanting to let the GAA down for granting us the opportunity to play in what I think is one of the best stadiums in the world.

"I've been to a few All-Ireland finals to Compromise Rules matches and to a few games of hurling. I do enjoy seeing the skill of these other guys. When you look out and see amateur guys playing the standard of sport these guys do play, you realise what the whole GAA and Croke Park is all about."