right time," he said with a modesty that remains.

Dublin farewelled Brian ODriscoll in style last weekend. The great man sweetened the occasion with a magic effort against Italy, tarnished later only by his rendition of Barry Manilows "Copacabana" in the changing room. While it was a fitting celebration of ODriscoll, theres symmetry in him bowing out of international rugby on Saturday in a likely Six Nations title decider in Paris. Thats where he launched himself on the rugby worlds consciousness in 2000 with a hat trick of tries in Irelands first win there over France in 28 years. To that point, he was an Irish star with 10 tests. Marked for great things as a teen with humility masking a ferocious competitiveness, he made his Ireland debut on the 1999 summer tour of Australia at age 20. Man-of-the-match awards in Irelands first two tour games made him a must-pick opposite Wallabies Dan Herbert and Tim Horan. ODriscoll held his own, and again in that years World Cup, where Ireland exited the group stage, embarrassed by Argentina. That was Ireland rugby then, a graveyard of dreams for more than a decade. But ODriscoll gave the side a world-class talent beside hooker Keith Wood, and a back who could create and score tries and return hope and thrills to Lansdowne Road. It took a 50-point hiding from England in the 2000 Six Nations opener for then-coach Warren Gatland to introduce the likes of John Hayes, Simon Easterby, Peter Stringer and Ronan OGara, who became stars of the new millennium as Irelands fortunes prospered. When France was overcome 27-25, Ireland had three wins in the championship for the first time in 15 years. ODriscolls was the first hat trick by an Irish player in the championship in 47 years. "It was lucky that I was in the right place at the right time," he said with a modesty that remains. ODriscoll has gone on to rack up a world record 140 tests, 139 of them starts, a record 132 for Ireland, the most Six Nations matches (64) and tries (26). He captained Ireland for 10 years to 2012 a record 83 times, and has 47 test tries, a record 46 for Ireland. He played in four World Cups without success, and only one win from four British and Irish Lions tours. Ireland also has won the Six Nations only once, when he scored tries in four of their wins in the 2009 Grand Slam. A second title beckons on Saturday. The statistics reward lasting class. But his legacy interests him more. ODriscoll woke up to the requirements of being professional during his first Lions tour in 2001, a tour de force for him. Hes responsible for revolutionizing Ireland, said captain Paul OConnell, in the team since 2002. "Hes spread confidence across the whole setup," OConnell said. "I grew up watching Ireland in the 90s and maybe that confidence wasnt there when an Irish team took the field. Any team that takes the field with Brian in it always feels they have a chance of winning. "When Brian finishes, that confidence will remain in the Irish setup, because a few players have moulded themselves on him a little bit and realized this is what you need to be to be the all-round rugby player." The 35-year-old ODriscoll has also remodeled himself. He has only one try since the 2011 World Cup, and no longer accelerates through gaps. But where his leg speed has declined, his mind has only sharpened. Ask Italy, victims last weekend. ODriscolls sleight of hand and awareness set up three of Irelands first four tries. He believes his caps records will be broken, and has been grooming potential successors Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave. Ireland has an abundance of midfield talent, he said. In giving advice, "Hes been generous to a fault," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. Where ODriscoll ranks among the great centres is another debate. Some in Ireland still consider him second to Mike Gibson, who retired in 1979, also after 15 years, as the world caps record-holder. No matter. ODriscolls greatness is set. Hell close a circle on Saturday at Stade de France. There, after that hat trick in the stunning victory in 2000, France coach Bernard Laporte said, "We could not stop him." Only time has. Jason Spriggs Jersey . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. Nick Perry Jersey .C. -- Kevin Harvick won his first career pole at Darlington Raceway on Friday as he looks to chase his first Southern 500. http://www.officialgreenbaypackersfootba...k-jersey-womens. Durant had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and made the go-ahead foul shots in overtime to lift the Thunder past the Wizards 106-105. John Wall missed a driving layup attempt at the buzzer for Washington, which was seeking its third straight win. Jimmy Graham Jersey . Not that Durant cared. The only streak he cares about is still intact. Bart Starr Jersey .com) - The collective hearts of Chicago Bulls fans sank on Friday night when Derrick Rose went down with a leg injury against the Cleveland Cavaliers.Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Devan Dubnyk turned aside all 18 shots he faced in his Minnesota debut and the Wild got goals from seven different players in a 7-0 rout of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Dubnyk, who was acquired in a trade from Arizona on Wednesday, was stellar in his first game between the pipes with his new club. He became the first goalie in franchise history to post a shutout in his first appearance with the team. Zach Parise, Kyle Brodziak, Thomas Vanek and Erik Haula all posted a goal and an assist, while Jason Pominville had three assists for Minnesota. The Wild had lost six straight games. Jhonas Enroth was responsible for all seven goals on 37 shots, as Buffalo fell for the ninth straight time. Theres no excuse for it, said Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges. Theres no way that this should happen. Parise opened the floodgates with a goal 5:13 into the contest, and Vanek made it 2-0 after one with his one-timer from the right circle late in the opening period. Mikko Koivu and Pominvillle assisted on both goals.dddddddddddd Any time you can get a lead against a team that might be a little frustrated and a little shaky, ends up falling into our favor tonight, said Pominville. Playing shorthanded early in the second period, Haula was alone on a breakaway and fired just wide of the net. He followed his shot and poked it in front to Brodziak, who easily tapped in Minnesotas third goal at six minutes even. Just over three minutes later, Matt Dumba snuck a slapper past Enroth from the point, then Jared Spurgeon added to the barrage with his goal with just over a minute remaining in the period. Matt Cooke and Haula scored third-period goals for the lopsided final. Game Notes Minnesota went 2-for-6 on the power play, while Buffalo finished 0-for-3 ... The Wild won both games in the season series, outscoring the Sabres 13-3 ... Buffalo hasnt won since Dec. 27 against the Islanders (4-3 SO), and it hasnt won in regulation since Dec. 11 vs. Calgary (4-3). 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