O'Brien says Ireland not gloating over Galthie's absence

THE Irish management team are by no means gloating at the loss of brilliant French scrum-half and captain Fabien Galthie ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash on March 8.

Anything but, according to Irish manager Brian O'Brien who admits to feeling sympathy for the skipper, ruled out due to a shoulder injury. He says Ireland have enough injury concerns of their own to keep them occupied.

"I suppose a lot of people will see France's misfortune as our advantage, but we don't see it like that. My first reaction is that I feel sorry for any player out through injury, no matter who he plays with I don't like to see any player injured in the game.