BRIAN O'DRISCOLL ON . . .

Retirement: "If you start thinking about or talking about retirement six months away then you're already there."

England: "They look like they've got good clarity in how they want to play. The intensity of their game with Scotland and in November against the All Blacks seems to be significantly raised."

Manu Tuilagi: "He brings a huge physical presence from a ball carrying point of view. It's extremely effective for them because he delivers gain line."

Gordon D'Arcy: "He's a hugely important player in my game just because of the comfort that he gives me, particularly from a defensive point of view."

The Lions: "It's definitely an added incentive in a Lions year to get your performances to as high a level as you can."