Ireland blow as O’Driscoll is ruled out
CAPTAIN Brian O’Driscoll will miss Ireland’s entire autumn Test schedule after being ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury.
The centre requires surgery after damaging a ligament while on Leinster duty against Cardiff Blues last Saturday.
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Hide AdIn a further blow to Ireland’s hopes in their Guinness Series against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, hooker Rory Best will also be missing because of a neck injury. The Ulster front-rower sprained his neck ligaments against the Dragons last Friday and faces up to six weeks of rehabilitation.
But 33-year-old O’Driscoll, who is in the final year of his contract with the IRFU, is cause for most concern.
Already stretched by the loss of Rob Kearney to a back problem, head coach Declan Kidney must re-examine his plans for the backline. Keith Earls was a candidate to replace Kearney but O’Driscoll’s absence is likely to see him moved to outside centre.
That leaves winger Tommy Bowe or Felix Jones, who is short of game time after recently returning from injury, as the options for the No 15 jersey.
Lions skipper Paul O’Connell will take the captaincy and it will be hoped he avoids injury given that Best is third choice for the leadership duties.
Best’s unavailability creates a chance for Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss.
Strauss, born and raised in South Africa but uncapped by the Springboks, qualifies for Ireland on residency grounds this month, having represented Leinster since 2009.