O’Driscoll glad to put tough year behind him

A REJUVENATED Brian O’Driscoll is looking to end a difficult season on a high with the national team on the upcoming summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Though one of the few Irish players to play somewhere close to his true potential at last year’s World Cup in France, the Leinster centre suffered a dip in form later in the season before picking up a hamstring injury in the Six Nations match against Wales.

O’Driscoll only returned to action for Leinster’s trip to Murrayfield two weeks ago and, though he looked somewhat sluggish that night, his fitness and sharpness had improved immeasurably for Saturday’s Magners League title winning tie against the Dragons.