O’Driscoll yet to be ruled out of back-to-back Clermont clashes

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL hasn’t yet been ruled out of Leinster’s December Heineken Cup back-to-back games against Clermont Auvergne, despite suffering a suspected cracked jawbone in Ireland’s victory over Argentina on Saturday.

However, the Irish skipper faces further medical assessment in Dublin today prior to Leinster’s trip for a Magners League clash against Llanelli Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Friday (7.05pm).

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will be hoping for good news on the O’Driscoll front, but definitely he won’t be involved in the Welsh fixture.

At best he may be ready for the second Clermont clash. That would be a big positive given that Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and now Andrew Conway are likely to be out of the loop for some time.

After his surgery last week, Kearney is set to sit out the next few months on the sidelines, Fitzgerald will miss at least the next six weeks of action, while Conway’s neck injury sustained on Sunday is likely to keep him out for up to three weeks.

All of the remaining returning Ireland internationals are available for selection after reporting for training yesterday, although it is unlikely that all will feature given the high intensity of training and matches over recent weeks.

Jono Gibbes, the forwards coach, insists Leinster need to improve in a number of areas.

“We have looked back on the Ospreys game and the two areas that we were particularly disappointed with were our scrum and our attacking lineout.

“We were disappointed we weren’t clinical enough in those areas and, with regard to the scrum, we didn’t adjust to their tactics as quickly as we have in other games. Given the way the Scarlets are playing right now, we have to be more clinical. No question about it.”

Gibbes is also worried about the threat posed by Scarlets and he noted their attitude and temperament in the series of games last year, both in Magners and Heineken competition.

“We played them four times, and you could see that they were a side in transition at that time. Their victories over London Irish in the Heineken Cup (last year) were an indication that they had real talent and you could see what they were trying to do.

“They’re building momentum in the Magners League and they have really clicked of late. They look a well-drilled outfit and their playing style has been impressive this season.”

“Simon (Easterby) has improved their defence this year and has given them a real backbone. I played a few years back in New Zealand with Regan (King), and I’m acutely aware of the threat he poses.

“Regan will ask questions of us defensively. I also played with Deacon Manu and against David Lyons so they have some really strong overseas players, alongside a good crop of Welsh players.

“We’re not in a position to start looking too far ahead of ourselves. This week is about what we bring mentally and physically to this game with the Scarlets. All we can do is concentrate on this challenge because we’re mid-table and it’s very congested there at present.

“Obviously we’re aware of what’s around the corner (ASM Clermont Auvergne), but we’re of the view that we missed out on a couple of points on Sunday night and we need to be clinical in what is a shorter week for us than normal.”