Hartley says Leinster magnifying extent of O’Driscoll injury

NORTHAMPTON captain Dylan Hartley believes Leinster are over-playing the seriousness of Brian O’Driscoll’s knee injury and expects to be lining up opposite the centre in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final.

O’Driscoll’s participation has been in doubt since he limped out of Friday’s Magners League victory over Ulster, with Leinster forwards coach Jonno Gibbs describing his chances as ‘touch and go’.

But Hartley believes Leinster are attempting to play mind-games ahead of the Millennium Stadium clash.