Ireland put brave face on O'Driscoll blow

Ireland are putting a brave face on the loss of Brian O'Driscoll for their Six Nations Championship opener against Italy on Saturday week.

The influential centre has failed to shake off a shoulder injury sustained in Leinster's Heineken Cup defeat in Biarritz.

O'Driscoll was omitted from coach Warren Gatland's plans when he named a 22-strong squad.

Bath's Kevin Maggs or Mike Mullins of Young Munster are set to take O'Driscoll's place for the match in Rome.

Gatland will name his team on Monday.

But Ireland are confident both O'Driscoll and in-form winger Denis Hickie will be fit for the next match, the home encounter with France on February 17.

"A two-week window was very tight," said Ireland backs coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"There was no chance, according to the medics. It's a bruised rotator cuff and he wouldn't have made it in time."

Although O'Driscoll, who picked up the injury a day before his 22nd birthday, is crucial to Ireland's hopes of matching their success in last year's Six Nations, the management clearly had an eye on the tougher schedule ahead.

O'Driscoll scored a hat-trick of tries against the French last year to help Ireland to their first Paris win for 28 years and they would dearly love to have him available for the return fixture.

O'Sullivan said: "It's the first game of the Six Nations and the last thing we need is for him to get a chronic, long-term injury.

"It's not a serious injury and he should be right the week after. He is certain at this stage to be back for the French game, which is good news."

Shane Horgan, who has scored five tries in his seven Tests, is the obvious candidate to replace Hickie, although Maggs has also played on the wing for his country.

"Brian O'Driscoll is a very special talent but we have some options," said O'Sullivan. "We have Henderson, Maggs, Mullins and Horgan, who have all played centre. We are in a position where we have a bit of depth in most positions."