Kidney gives Drico every chance to face Aussies

SKIPPER Brian O’Driscoll faces a battle to regain fitness in time for the opening Test of the Autumn Series against South Africa on Saturday week as injury and Magners League commitments reduced Ireland’s options at their training camp in Limerick this week.

O’Driscoll’s hamstring injury is responding to treatment, and coach Declan Kidney is giving his talisman every chance of lining out against the world champions.

And though Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connacht have received co-operation from the national camp for their fixtures this weekend, it makes Kidney’s job more difficult. At a press conference yesterday, team manager Paul McNaughton revealed Ireland’s main squad would be reduced to between 22 and 24 players for the remainder of the week.