O'Driscoll reaches new heights

Ireland's victory ended England's Gland Slam hopes but the visitors did clinch the 2011 RBS 6 Nations title, their first since 2003.

"It's great and a real honour," said O'Driscoll.

"I didn't know Ian Smith myself! But 78 years is a very long time for a record to stand.

"Hopefully there is still more rugby left in me and I can extend it."

And the Ireland captain will be looking forward to returning the scene of his triumph in just over three weeks time when Leinster host Leicester in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup - a repeat of the 2009 Cup final which Leinster won 19 v 16 at Murrayfield.

The quarter-final tie at the Aviva Stadium, which will be sold out for the showpiece occasion, will see a repeat of a number head-to-head's, none more so than the half-back pairings.

Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan inspired Ireland to victory and their opponents Toby Flood and Ben Youngs will be looking for revenge when they line-up against each other at club level.

In the pack Cian Healy and Dan Cole will renew their battle upfront while Sean O'Brien and Tom Croft will once again battle it out in the back-row.