Brian O'Driscoll has claimed that Ireland are capable of causing an upset against New Zealand when the teams meet in Dublin this weekend.
Ireland welcome the world champions to the Aviva Stadium on Sunday having never recorded a win over the All Blacks in 27 previous matches.
Despite his side being heavy underdogs for the encounter, O'Driscoll is not ruling out a shock win for the hosts.
"If you catch them on an off day and things go right, it can happen for us," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "We'll put ourselves in the same position, treating this game like one we can win.
"I'm the eternal optimist. No one will give us a chance, but that's okay with us."
O'Driscoll is an injury doubt for the game with a calf problem, though the centre has revealed that he should be fit to take part.
