O’Driscoll: I’m fit and ready for Italian job

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL insisted last night that he is fit and well to lead Ireland in this afternoon’s RBS Six Nations opener at Croke Park.

This newspaper yesterday reported O’Driscoll had picked up a quad muscle injury in training this week, but when asked if he was happy with his own fitness, O’Driscoll replied monosyllabically: “Yes”. Pressed if there was any question about that, he said: “No”.

O’Driscoll was supported by Ireland coach Declan Kidney, who declared that he didn’t expect any further problems with a team that has already had Stephen Ferris, Jonny Sexton and Donncha O'Callaghan ruled out by injury.