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Will this be Brian O'Driscoll's Six Nations swansong? ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Six Nations

Open thread: How will Ireland fare in Rome this afternoon (or do you even care?)

It has been a grim auld Six Nations campaign for Ireland. How are you feeling as we head into this afternoon’s finale?

AS JIM MORRISON once said: “This is the end, my friend.”

After six forgettable weeks, Ireland’s disappointing Six Nations campaign limps to its conclusion this afternoon as the beaten and broken bodies look to drag it over the line against Italy in Rome.

What started with so much promise in that magical first half against Wales quickly descended into disarray. Team manager Mick Kearney invoked the spirit of Charlie Haughey in describing the injury roster as “Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented” — but it’s a description that applies to large parts of the campaign if we’re being honest.

Now there’s nothing left to play for but pride, spurred on by the knowledge that defeat this afternoon could see Ireland overtaken by a French win in the race to dodge the wooden spoon.

Whatever the result, this could well be coach Declan Kidney’s last Six Nations game in charge. More significantly, it could be the last time that we see the once-in-a-generation talent of the majestic Brian O’Driscoll wear the green shirt in the competition.

So how do you feel ahead of today’s game? Do Ireland have the resolve to go and grind out a win? Do you even care any more? Or should we really just forget about the result — win or lose — and concentrate on savouring every last one of BOD’s touches? Just in case.

This is the place for your optimism, pessimism and everything in between. Get it off your chest in the comments section and we’ll see you for kick-off at 2.30pm.

Keyboard Warriors: Rugby bloggers of Ireland and Italy preview the 6 Nations finale

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