Brunel: Ireland weaker without influence of O’Driscoll

Italy believe they’ll play a significantly weakened Irish team in today’s Six Nations showdown because Brian O’Driscoll is unfit to play.

So said head coach Jacques Brunel, who believes O’Driscoll is as important to the Irish cause as their totemic captain, Sergio Parisse, is for them.

“I certainly hope that O’Driscoll’s absence will allow us to face a weaker Irish team,” said Brunel yesterday.