Warrior’s bravery and commitment has taken its toll

YOU could picture the counting of months on the fingers of rugby fans throughout Ireland as the news broke that Brian O’Driscoll was to undergo shoulder surgery.

There will be six long months without the Leinster star, taking us through the bulk of the Heineken Cup campaign and the entire 2012 Six Nations Championship.

Also, in January, O’Driscoll will celebrate his 33rd birthday and given the way the outside centre hurls his body around a rugby pitch, it is incredible that he has taken the field as often as he has.