Originally Posted by skysportsireland

Captain Brian O'Driscoll reckons the move to Croke Park will make Ireland an even more fearsome proposition on home soil.

Irish rugby is moving across Dublin while Lansdowne Road is undergoing redevelopment and the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association will host its first game of rugby when Ireland face France on February 11.

Croke Park has a capacity of 82,500 - more than double that of the old Lansdowne Road - and O'Driscoll is looking forward to playing in a passionate atmosphere.

"We did all our emotional goodbyes after the last game against the Pacific Islands in November but what you can say is we are not downgrading," O'Driscoll said at the official launch of the RBS 6 Nations in London on Wednesday.

"There are going to be an extra 35-40,000 fans there. It's still in Dublin, it's still home and if anything I think it will heighten the public's excitement."

The GAA has lifted a ban on non-Gaelic sports at Croke and O'Driscoll is grateful for the chance to play at the legendary stadium.

"The passion and the history behind it, it might not be so well known by the countries who come and play but there is so much of it at Croke Park," he added.

"A lot of the boys will have gone there and seen the fanaticism of the hurling and Gaelic football for sure. There is an aura about the place and we just feel we are incredibly fortunate to be allowed to play there.

"It's an honour and we just feel, hopefully, it will give us that little extra element and we don't want to let the GAA down for granting us the opportunity to play in one of the best stadiums in the world."

Ireland - who get their Six Nations campaign under way in Cardiff on February 4 - will also play England at Croke Park on February 24.

Originally Posted by 3 FEATHERS

So whats happening to Lawnsdown road?What does the future hold for this place?