Schmidt allays BOD injury fears

Leinster and Irish supporters feared the worst as Brian O’Driscoll received treatment for a damaged ankle in Saturday’s Heineken Cup victory over Scarlets at the RDS.

However, coach Joe Schmidt allayed those fears by confirming the Irish skipper will be fit for the province’s crucial clash against Exeter Chiefs next weekend — and the Six Nations.

A relieved Schmidt revealed the injury was not to the ankle which was operated on last October and forced O’Driscoll to miss over two months of rugby.

“That [the injury] is his good ankle and he has assured me it is fine. Brian is one of the toughest players I ever had anything to do with. He knows his own body, he knows what he can push through.

“Last time he was injured he came straight off, this time he felt he was getting better every time he took a step on it. You’ve heard the phrase about running it off, and he felt it was ok by running it off; it was getting better with every minute he stayed on the pitch.

“He is not worried about himself. I worry about everyone all the time although I suppose that’s my job”

Schmidt admitted his side had suffered “bumps and bruises” but is confident he will have a full squad available for next week’s clash.