Six Nations 2013: Brian O'Driscoll says 'body' will decide future

Brian O'Driscoll says his physical condition will be the key factor in his decision whether to continue his rugby career beyond this season.

O'Driscoll last week said this year's Six Nations was likely to be his final action in the tournament but he spoke more about the issue on Wednesday.

"I said it because I was asked the question. I hadn't intended causing a stir," said the 34-year-old centre.

"The situation will unfold. I'll have to listen to my body."

The Leinster player added: "I haven't really allowed myself to think about it. If you start thinking about retirement in six months' time you're already there.

"I just want to concentrate on my rugby and enjoy it and live in the moment. It will all evolve."

O'Driscoll is set to become a father later this spring and he admitted that he will also get his wife's "point of view" on his rugby future.

"There are lots of factors, not just me, that come into those decisions," he said.

"I haven't been wondering if Saturday will be the last time I'll play England in the Aviva Stadium, far from it."

The Leinster star, 34, added that his man-of-the-match display against Wales will not have a bearing on his future plans.

"It hasn't altered my thinking," he said.

"Maybe when the time comes I'll look back on previous performances but a huge amount of it is about listening to your body.

"Games like last weekend take a long time to recover from when you're a little bit older.

"It's the cumulative effect as well. If you're lucky enough to play five Six Nations games in seven weeks that has a huge knock-on effect.

"I'm at game two, feeling OK and looking forward to England."

O'Driscoll appeared to give little credibility to coach Declan Kidney's view that removing the captaincy from him is going to help him concentrate on his own game in this year's Six Nations.

"I've read a little bit of stuff over the last while that taking the burden of captaincy away from me has allowed me to think about my game," he said.

"I'd like think that in the 10 years I was captain I played a few all right games as well.

"It hasn't changed the way I go about my business or the way I carry on around camp. I still say things when they need to be said.

"I suppose I thought at some point the captaincy would be passed on, but looking forward I'm not going to be around for the 2015 World Cup, so it's a good opportunity to gave Jamie (Heaslip) a run in it.

"Jamie's going to be around for a considerable amount of time, albeit that didn't make the decision any easier or lessen the disappointment when I was told."