Ireland head coach Declan Kidney is certain that Brian O'Driscoll is capable of continuing his international career.
The 34-year-old insists that he has yet to make a decision on his future with his country, with it widely believed that he has played his last game for the Irish.
Kidney is adamant that O'Driscoll, who could feature on the British & Irish Lions tour this summer, has earned the right to make the decision in his own time.
"Brian has had a strong Six Nations. He was outstanding against Wales and had a good match against France. I thought he did well against Italy too," Kidney said.
"He's earned the space and time to be able to make up his own mind. Players are the only ones who know when the time is right to go."
O'Driscoll has won 125 caps for Ireland.