Ireland wait for O'Driscoll update

Ireland are sweating on the fitness of captain Brian O’Driscoll after the Leinster centre suffered a hamstring injury in yesterday’s 19-9 victory over Wales.

O’Driscoll limped off in the 75th minute of the RBS 6 Nations opener in Cardiff and is a doubt for Sunday’s clash with France in Dublin.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan hopes to receive an update on his condition today and will give the inspirational Lions captain every chance to prove his availability for the Croke Park showdown.

“Brian was chasing when Ronan O’Gara made that break and he felt a twinge,” he said.

“He tried to run it out but it was still there and near the end it bothered him again.

“If he stayed on he could have damaged it more but we’ll know more about it today. He went straight into rehab.

“The worry was that if we left Brian on he might do serious damage to his hamstring that could have put him out of the rest of the championship.

“I’m not saying he’s available for France but there’s a much better chance now that we took him off at the right time. But he’s definitely a doubt.”

O’Driscoll’s midfield partner Gordon D’Arcy sustained a groin problem early in the game but played on until the final whistle.

He was the pick of Ireland’s players, deservedly winning the man of the match award, and he eased O’Sullivan’s concerns over his fitness.

“My groin is okay. I was able to play on and that’s usually a good sign,” said D’Arcy.

Wales at the Millennium Stadium was always going to be a tricky first hurdle and Six Nations favourites Ireland were far from convincing.

They won the try count 3-0 with Rory Best, O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara crossing but profited immeasurably from Wales’ failure to convert their territory and possession into points.

Three Stephen Jones penalties were all they had to show for their efforts and D’Arcy admitted his side will need to improve as the championship progresses.

“We knew what was going to happen with Wales – they wanted to go wide as often as possible,” he said.

“Our scramble defence and willingness to stop them scoring was very heartening. Our defence was good enough to prevail

“That was as good a result a and to get the ball rolling. The execution wasn’t always there but as long as we get better in every game we’ll do all right.”