Brian O’Driscoll wants the emotion of his final Test to propel Ireland to the Six Nations title in Paris on Saturday.

Ireland’s points difference of 81 is likely to mean any win over France will seal their first title since 2009, but England and France could deny them.

The retiring O’Driscoll was cheered off in his final match in Ireland and ahead of his 141st and last Test he said: “There’ll be a little bit more emotion.

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“This is my last chance, hopefully I’ll project it in the most positive way.”

O’Driscoll, who made his international debut in 1999, set a new record as rugby union’s most-capped player in last week’s 46-7 win against Italy before a passionate Dublin crowd.

And the 35-year-old admitted: “I’m sure there will be tears [in Paris], whether you see them or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”

The last Irish success in Paris came in 2000 when O’Driscoll scored a hat-trick but the Ireland legend believes there is plenty of talent to fill his shoes once the final whistle goes on Saturday evening.

“We’ve got lots of great potential coming through and the future looks bright,” he said.

“Ireland are in good hands and under Joe Schmidt we’ve got the depth of squad where guys can replace others seamlessly and competition for places is a lot hotter than when I came in in 1999. Standards are really being driven to hopefully a new level.”

O’Driscoll on his  toughest opponents

“Richard Hill would be up there with Martin Johnson. In the southern hemisphere the best opponent would have been Tim Horan, he was class, and more recently the likes of Richie McCaw, who was quite the freak. Being capped 125-odd times at seven in a country like New Zealand is quite exceptional.”

O’Driscoll on 2009 Grand Slam

“We were nearly men until that year and to finally come good was such a relief. We had the ability to beat five very good sides, you realise the importance of it because since then we’ve done next to nothing in the Six Nations.”