Driscoll still has the blues

reland's dashing second-half revival in Paris, which saw them peg back a 26-6 deficit with 20 minutes to go, has earned widespread acclaim.

For players and coach Eddie O'Sullivan the display has provided welcome refuge from the unceasing criticism that began during their abysmal World Cup.

But while O'Driscoll has taken comfort from the final quarter heroics, inspired by a rampaging Irish pack, he admits the bottom line is they failed against Les Bleus.

"There's definitely a feeling that we've made significant progress," he said.

"Obviously in the Six Nations you only have five games and you have to get it right from the start, but we certainly improved as the game went on.

"But while a lot of the reaction to the match has been positive, we're not here to put in good performances and lose.

"We're here to win games and we're all very disappointed we didn't beat France.

"We had set out at the start of the season to win all five matches in the Six Nations and unfortunately we have lost one already."

O'Driscoll replaced the disappointing Malcolm O'Kelly shortly before Ireland staged their do-or-die assault and impressed enough to put him in line for a start against Scotland on February 23.

The return of Paul O'Connell from a back injury complicates matters with the Munster lock due to continue his comeback in Friday's Celtic League match against Edinburgh.

If O'Connell comes through unscathed, the Irish talisman may be deemed fit enough to start alongside Donncha O'Callaghan with O'Driscoll potentially settling for a place on the bench.

But if O'Sullivan decides O'Connell, who has been out since the World Cup with the recurring injury, needs one more match, O'Driscoll could be let loose against the Scots.

Successive defeats by France and Wales have put Scotland on a wooden spoon collision course with Italy but O'Driscoll refuses to underestimate Frank Hadden's side.

"People are saying this and that about the Scots, that they are probably not the best team around at the minute," he said.

"But it doesn't really matter who you play, any international team can pull off a win on any particular day.

"Losing to France was disappointing but we just have to get over that.

"Over the next couple of days we'll look back at the game to see where we went wrong and where we can improve.