No danger of O’Driscoll missing opening Test

Brian O’Driscoll’s is not in danger of missing the British and Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia next weekend, head coach Warren Gatland insisting the veteran centre’s fitness is merely being carefully managed.

O’Driscoll played a full 80 minutes on Tuesday when he captained the Lions in a one-sided match against the Combined Country in Newcastle and was injured late on chasing a lost cause, stretching to keep a ball in play and doing the splits in the process.

With Manu Tuilagi also picking up a minor knock against Queensland Reds last Saturday and wing/centre George North developing a tight hamstring which forced his early withdrawal on Tuesday, Gatland yesterday called up Billy Twelvetrees as midfield cover, the England centre leaving his country’s tour of Argentina last night.