Brian O'Driscoll joined Wednesday Night Rugby to look ahead to France v Ireland in Paris, where Andy Farrell's men need a bonus-point win to win the Six Nations.
While Ireland are by no means favourites, O'Driscoll believes that the opportunity is by no means beyond them.
Brian O'Driscoll on Ireland
"It always reminds me of Munster in the mid-2000s where they would keep the scoreboard ticking over, and keep the pressure on with penalties to get 3, 6, and 9.
"Then they would score a try and they would be out of sight when it felt like the opposition hadn't done a huge amount wrong.
"There is still very much a place for cup rugby.
"Johnny Sexton referenced [the bonus point] in the papers, saying that some ex-internationals were on his back about going to the corner a bit earlier than they would have.
"But, as a result, they have got the championship in their hands; if they hadn't done that then maybe they wouldn't have got the bonus point tries. It is a fair point.
"It is something that Ireland did under Joe Schmidt a lot, and have continued under Andy Farrell. With those kickable opportunities, they tend to go after seven-pointers. They have coughed up one or two of them - I don't think they have 100% record for their bravery - but it is a favourable return."
France
As for their opponents, O'Driscoll believes that France in Paris poses its own particular problems.
"I think if you look at how [France] started the game at the weekend, they couldn't have asked for a worse start. A dropped kick-off, scrum pressure, and Wales scoring on the minute mark.
"You can be sure that that will not happen for two weeks on the bounce. But Ireland have to be careful because we have gone down the rabbit hole in Paris over the years.
"It can be a long night at the office if you don't get it right early on."
Chances
O'Driscoll believes one aspect may play a part in deciding the outcome of a game against a French side that has hit the 'jackpot' of youth talent.
"The only thing is that they don't have a French crowd to gee up and get on their side. Conversely, Ireland don't have the opportunity to silence that crowd and get them on the French back.
"All of those outside emotions are negated, and it is just two teams going after each other. On the basis of what we have seen over the course of the Six Nations, France are favourites and quite comfortably so.
"But it is not inconceivable that Ireland could go and steal a victory like they did a couple of years ago.
"I just think that four tries against this French defence - who will be better for having an outing last week - that is probably a step too far."
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