D-day for D'Arcy, O'Driscoll

Ireland’s hopes of landing a first RBS 6 Nations title for two decades were in danger of being dealt a major blow today with injury updates due on Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy.

Eddie O’Sullivan was set to announce his team to face Scotland at lunchtime, with all eyes on Ireland’s supremely gifted midfield pairing who both sustained hamstring injuries during Sunday’s 28-17 victory over Italy.

D’Arcy and O’Driscoll have been championed as favourites to fill the centre positions when the Lions face New Zealand this summer, with Wales’ Gavin Henson the only serious threat.

The loss of either or both players would be keenly felt, and their absence would put a spanner in the works for Ireland's championship title bid.

Shane Horgan – eventually switched to inside-centre when D’Arcy left the Stadio Flaminio pitch – and Kevin Maggs must be likely to form the midfield against Scotland in the absence of the first-choice pair.

Girvan Dempsey was named on the bench against Italy but would be restored to the starting line-up, either taking Horgan’s place on the wing or forcing Geordan Murphy into the number 14 shirt.

Otherwise, O’Sullivan was set to name an unchanged side, with the only possible alteration coming in the back row where Denis Leamy could be replaced by Johnny O’Connor at openside.

O’Sullivan picked the bulkier Leamy with Italy’s physical pack in mind and was happy with his performance, but his horses-for-courses approach may require something different for Scotland.

Saturday’s Murrayfield showdown looked the easiest of Ireland’s fixtures before the Six Nations campaign kicked off, but the Scots’ narrow 16-9 defeat by France last weekend has prompted a rapid change in thinking.

O’Sullivan said: “I think Scotland played very well. They put tremendous pressure on the French – both when they had the ball and when did not have it.

“The French did not respond well – they made lots of mistakes, and Scotland capitalised on that. I thought they were unfortunate not to win, and they will be tough opponents for us on Saturday.”