Mick O’Driscoll Set For Rome Start

With Paul O’Connell ruled out of the final RBS Six Nations game against Italy next weekend, his Munster colleague Mick O’Driscoll looks poised to make his first start in the championship.

O’Connell fractured a thumb in the course of the game against Scotland and he is to see a specialist today (Monday) to determine whether or not he will require surgery and how long he will be out of action.

O’Driscoll made his international debut back in June 2001 and this season captained the Ireland A side and came on as a replacement in the game against England at Croke Park.

Meanwhile, the Ireland training session scheduled for today has been cancelled to allow the Irish squad to undergo an extra rehab session in the morning. The following players have been added to the squad for training this week:

Backs: Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Barry
Murphy (Munster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster). Forwards: Trevor Hogan (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster).