O’Driscoll could be fit for opener

AFTER an August of seemingly never-ending series of setbacks with injury and poor on-field form, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan could at least afford to smile a little yesterday.

They say time heals all but then there are timely healers like his captain, Brian O’Driscoll, who could make a dramatic return for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup pool opener against Namibia in Bordeaux on Sunday.

O’Driscoll’s comeback is set to come a week ahead of schedule and just 18 days after Mike Tewhata’s, fist almost shattered the Irish centre’s RWC hopes in the now infamous ‘Battle of Bayonne’.