O'Driscoll will be hungry for a Six Nations swansong

Brian O'Driscoll... a leader with or without the captain's title

Brian O'Driscoll's demotion to the ranks marks the end of an era for Irish rugby, but Ralph Ellis reckons it will fire up the veteran star to show Wales - and The Lions - that he's still got what it takes.

There are some things about sport you take for granted. When I was growing up it was that Bobby Moore was England captain. I presume a modern young Chelsea fan can't think of a time when John Terry won't be the man who wears the armband at Stamford Bridge. And if you were an Irish rugby fan then it has been a given that Brian O'Driscoll is the man who leads out the team at the start of the Six Nations.

But not any more. For the first time in ten years O'Driscoll will be in the Irish team, but not the captain, when he lines up against Wales in the Millenium Stadium on Saturday. It is a seismic shift in the sport and seems to throw a massive responsibility on the shoulders of the new leader Jamie Heaslip.

But does it? The more I think about it, the more the decision to relegate one of Ireland's all-time greats back to the rank and file is a brilliant decision by coach Declan Kidney. He gets two captains for the price of one.

Heaslip is bright eyed and bushy tailed at being given the honour, determined to inspire the boys around him. And meanwhile do you think O'Driscoll will be any less of a leader just because he doesn't have the title? Absolutely not.

The 34-year-old with 120 caps still has unfinished business as far as the Lions are concerned and remains a candidate to be the captain when Warren Gatland names his tour party. There has been money for Heaslip who is now 3.55n/a in Betfair's Specials market to be Lions Captain as an alternative candidate to 1.8810/11 favourite Sam Warburton. But O'Driscoll wants the job and knows the best way to get it is to deliver superb performances in the next few weeks.

He missed last season's Six Nations after surgery to free a trapped nerve in his neck and shoulder, and another ten weeks out at the end of 2012 following ankle surgery has left a man hungry for success. "He is challenging everybody in training as he always does," is how Kidney defines his mood.

Ireland have exciting young players coming into their side, with wingers Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo being promoted. But the beauty is they will step out with experienced help alongside them which gives Kidney's team a real balance. Heaslip talked yesterday about the numbers of caps along the back row resembling a lotto ticket - 41, 1, 120, 71, 3. It sounds like a winning line.

I was thinking this way even before I read Will Greenwood's column yesterday. I'm not sure I necessarily agree that the Irish are Grand Slam contenders, I think England are stronger providing Owen  Farrell is given the freedom to play at number ten. But his views do support the belief that odds-against for Ireland to start the campaign with a win over Wales - the price is 2.35/4 - are well worth taking.

Even at 34 and with so many Tests behind him his fire for success burns as bright as ever. Saturday's visit to Cardiff gives him one more chance to prove it. O'Driscoll's demotion marks the shifting of time but it doesn't mean his era has ended yet.