O’Driscoll is out; D’Arcy a long shot for Scots

Charlie Mulqueen, Edinburgh

Hopes that O'Driscoll would respond to intensive treatment on the hamstring injury he picked up in the last minute of Sunday's victory in Rome faded in the last couple of days, with coach Eddie O'Sullivan accepting before the team left for Edinburgh yesterday that it would be unwise to take a chance with his captain's fitness.

Accordingly, O'Driscoll didn't even travel, O'Sullivan putting the emphasis on getting him fully fit for the clash with England on Sunday fortnight.