Captain focused on keeping it simple

It has become increasingly evident as Brian O'Driscoll has matured in the spotlight, that rugby is just not that complicated for the Ireland captain.

Understandable considering the consummate ease with which he plays the game.

Press conference questions often seem too convoluted though. He doesn't say as much, but more and more answers begin with a tilt of the head, a grimace and an offering of: "Mmmm no, not really," or " I don't think so."

Criticism is something he and his team can take. It's "fair enough" to say that Ireland's backline has not clicked. It's "disappointing", but you really can't see it keeping him awake at night. If, like last week, the weather means its more "crash bang wallop" than dummy, skip, score, then so be it.

Questions from the England contingent - still reeling from the Parisian pasting witnessed at the weekend - seem equally over-analytical. He is not in the habit of commenting too much on the opposition, especially when they are in a bit of a dark place. But he isn't too shy to venture that given the choice he would prefer to be in his backline than England’s.

"I have to say that I would prefer to be in my backline than the English backline," he says, when asked if Ireland has more potential for the unexpected. "That's not stirring things up, it's just the way things are.

"I think we have got extremely talented players, not to say the English don't, but I feel that we have got potentially a world class backline once we click and it's a matter of going out and doing that now.

"I don't think it's about balance, it's about how you perform with different pairings and different partnerships.

"I feel as though when that day does arrive, that we click, hopefully we'll entertain a few people."

Seven changes for England ahead of the Twickenham clash on Saturday, are "not really anything to do with us".

"It's up to Andy Robinson," he adds. "He is, I suppose in a way, taking the bull by horns and trying to find what his best side is, what his best XV are."

O'Driscoll is happy with his own game and patient despite that lack of space he has found so far. The fact that this year's games have tended to be won in defence rather than attack does not bother him either. It just happens that way sometimes and is not something that concerns him too much.

"I think some year's you get attacks on top and some years you get defences on top. I don't think it's a concerning factor. It just happened that its been a very tight competition this year. No-one has really put their hand up and said 'we're the best team in the competition’."

"So, I suppose, along with the fact that a lot of the teams are going through somewhat of a transitional period. You are never going to get fantastic rugby in those periods, when teams are in that transition process.

"You have just got to wait and be patient, as we have been, and I think we have been gradually getting better with each game, and hopefully it will continue in that regard."

His side's failings going into the tournament were pored over relentlessly and though not apparently irritated by it, he feels a little vindicated that Ireland are where they are without getting the crowd on the edge of their seat yet.

He will bring his side to Twickenham on Saturday in search of their third straight win over England, but it would be a "silly boy" that worries about more than beating the opposition. "If they (Wales) want to do us a favour, then great."

A third win "would be very special" but it's not about "getting one over on England, it's about winning silverware."

Spoken with the simplicity of a winner and born leader.