D’Arcy prepares for Ireland life without ‘irreplaceable’ Brian

GORDON D’ARCY admitted yesterday that Brian O’Driscoll will be “irreplaceable” come the Six Nations but challenged suitors to the number 13 jersey to grasp the opportunity to replace the injured talisman with both hands.

Few know better how difficult that will be. The pair have spent almost their entire careers playing beside one another at provincial and international level and, indeed, their 47 starts together for Ireland represents a world record for a Test centre partnership.

O’Driscoll will do well to feature in Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand after undergoing shoulder surgery on a trapped nerve in November so it will be unchartered territory in the Six Nations for both player and team.