Is Brian O'Driscoll the Greatest Rugby Player Ever? #BODRetires

You could not have scripted this finish any better.

Last ever international test. Last ever game for Ireland. A first Six Nations Championship since 2009 on the line. And 80,000 at the Stade de France, most cheering on the home side.

And it's St Patrick's Day on Monday.

Brian O'Driscoll's long rugby career has pretty much run as smoothly as a Hollywood director would hope with a big production - lots of drama with some minor hiccups but pretty memorable nevertheless.

(Brian O'Driscoll's last ever try for Ireland - versus Wales in 2013)

While for Leinster fans, there is still more of BOD to come with the curtain on BOD's club rugby career to come down later in the season - hopefully with more Heineken Cup success, a 4th in 6 years.

However, for the rest of Ireland, and world rugby, the Six Nations' grand finale on March 15, 2014 was the final hoorah for a player who should be rightly regarded as one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest ever.

There have been plenty of great centres who have played our game - and are still playing our game - but not many have had a career as long, as illustrious as the Irish captain's.

Brian O'Driscoll has a rightful claim to be considered the greatest centre ever seen.

Ok, there will be plenty of arguments from the rest of the rugby world - New Zealand rugby fans will be arguing that the likes of Frank Bunce, Tana Umaga and even recent 100 Super Rugby cap hero, Conrad Smith should be considered right up there, while the Aussies and French will have Tim Horan and Phillipe Sella as their representative candidates.

And the English - those bloody English that the Irish love to hate - have Mr William Carling and Mr Jeremy Guscott who would definitely be considered as one of the best ever to play the game.

McCaw and O'Driscoll - two players who have rightful claims to be considered the greatest ever

All have very valid reasons to be considered the greatest when considered carefully but for me, it just seems that Brian O'Driscoll has much more of those in his favour.

15 years is a long time to be playing international rugby and only the likes of George Gregan, Jason Leonard, and New Zealand's very own Richie McCaw come close to the longevity that BOD has enjoyed.

Yes, Ireland probably do not have the same depth as New Zealand, South Africa or their fellow Northern neighbours, but to be not only around for 15 years but be the best option for selection for so long and not just be a default selection does say a lot about the calibre of one player.

O'Driscoll may not have won a Rugby World Cup, but he has achieved enough in his career to deem his career a highly successful one - how many rugby players have won at least one, let alone all of the Celtic League (now Pro12), Heineken Cup, Six Nations, Triple Crown, Grand Slam and British & Irish Lions series in their rugby career?

But it is not just accolades that make one considered the greatest ever. It is the impression left by one on not just devoted rugby fans, but the general public who follow the sport casually.

In that respect, Brian O'Driscoll has excelled, with Irish rugby right in the middle of one of its more successful eras and with coach Joe Schmidt, set for much success in the near future, as young players come through, brought up on the success that O'Driscoll and fellow teammates, Paul O'Connell, Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, David Wallace, etc. have delivered to a nation long considered underdogs, starved of success.

And of course, the skill and show and go that O'Driscoll has shown time and time again has exhilarated not just rugby fans from the Emerald Isle, but lovers of the game.

Yes O'Driscoll, like all of his colleagues across the world, has had his controversies - his reaction after his spear tackle that ended his 2005 British Lions tour left New Zealand fans with a bit of a sour taste and a perception that he was bigger than the game and an endangered species that needs extra protection. But even Colin Meads, George Gregan, Colin Meads, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have had their controversies.

O'Driscoll - 4th time lucky with the British & Irish Lions!

The fact is that BOD just moved on from those controversies and onto the things that mattered.

It will be very hard to imagine a Leinster, Irish or British & Irish Lions side without Brian O'Driscoll and a big void has definitely been left with his retirement. Nevertheless, it is a retirement into legendary status that is well deserved, and BOD can contemplate a relaxed life with his family, with the punters talking about his status and tries for years to come.

Thanks BOD!