Kidney fear of facing Boks without key men fades

With so many internationals on Rabo duty over the weekend, Declan Kidney was entitled to fear the worst ahead of the November 10 clash with South Africa, but Team Ireland was able to present a largely positive injury update from Carton House yesterday.

Of most concern after the most recent provincial duties was Brian O’Driscoll and, though it was confirmed yesterday he had suffered ligament damage against Cardiff Blues last Saturday, the centre is expected to recover for the bash against the Boks.

Gordon D’Arcy (dead leg) and Eoin Reddan (knee) have also been placed on reduced duties for a few days while Cian Healy is to see a specialist about a shoulder problem he picked up in that demolition at the RDS.