Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has thrown down the gauntlet to Saturday’s Heineken Cup finalists on the fringes of the Test side to prove they are worth a place on next month’s tour to New Zealand.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL should be fit to play for Ireland against South Africa on Saturday after taking a limited part in training yesterday, according to team manager Paul McNaughton who described himself as “optimistic” regarding the captain.

PAUL O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara and Andrew Trimble remain in contention for the France game despite sustaining injuries in Saturday’s win over Italy.