The 2005 Lions skipper has been a tryscorer in each of the games against France, Italy and England, producing performances that have made a mockery of the view that his international career was on the downward slide.

The 2005 Lions skipper, who was one of the leading stars on his first Lions adventure back in 2001, continues to press his claims for inclusion on this summer's tour of South Africa, with Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton unsurprised by the quality of his recent performances.

"I think what we've seen from Brian to date [in the Six Nations] are clips of things that we've seen over the last five or six years," said McNaughton.

"He's had to adapt as he's got older.

"We weren't surprised - that's ultimately why it was decided not to change the captaincy because of his leadership, because of his ability defensively and because of his ability to change a game.

"The Irish management decided that he should be captain for a start. And therefore that gave a confidence in the management view on his form and on his leadership.

"He has had a fantastic Championship so far, and if you said was he going to play like that and score three tries in three matches you might have said, 'let's hope so'.

"I think we are all pleasantly happy that he is playing in the form he is at the moment - in particular in the big game against England."

McNaughton's is a view shared by O'Driscoll's ex-Leinster, Ireland and Lions team-mate, Denis Hickie, a man who knows him better than most.

Hickie toured with O'Driscoll on the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand and played alongside his national captain at provincial, international and representative levels for close to a decade.

"His teammates still look to him to do something special in every game," Hickie told the The Times.

"And I assure you, that drives him on.

"Brian has what I have only seen in very few players. He has an ability to produce really big performances at crucial times in really big games. When the pressure's big, he's always delivered.

"That, for me, is the measure of whether you are past your best. And I can't see the evidence that his best is yet past him."