McLaughlin’s BOD hope

No one would benefit more from Brian O’Driscoll’s absenceat Twickenham on Saturday than Brian McLaughlin — but the Ulster coach is keeping his fingers crossed that the Irish centre is fit to play in the Heineken Cup final.

O’Driscoll underwent minor surgery on a knee injury on Friday but the Ulster boss expects the Leinster legend to start in the decider.

“I am sure wild horses wouldn’t hold him back,” said McLaughlin in Belfast yesterday. “These are the occasions that, as a coach, you want all your players fit and available for. You don’t want to see anybody injured.