International Rugby
Ireland hopeful over O'Driscoll injury
ESPN Staff
October 28, 2012
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll leads an attack, Ireland v Wales, Rugby World Cup 2011 quarter-final, Wellington Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, October 8, 2011
Brian O'Driscoll twisted his ankle in Leinster's PRO12 victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday © PA Photos
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Brian O'Driscoll
Teams: Ireland

Ireland have bolstered their training squad ahead of the end of year internationals after a number of players suffered injuries in the latest RaboDirect PRO12 action including captain Brian O'Driscoll.

O'Driscoll twisted his ankle in Leinster's victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday night and although a subsequent scan has revealed that the injury is less severe than first thought, team management have opted to draft in cover as a precaution ahead of the clashes with South Africa, Fiji and Argentina next month.

Four extra backs have been added to the squad while O'Driscoll's recovery is monitored with Ulster trio Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall joining Connacht wing Tiernan O'Halloran in the Ireland camp.

Due to a knock that Ulster hooker Rory Best took in their victory over the Dragons on Friday night, Leinster's Sean Cronin has also been added to the squad. Ulster tight-head Declan Fitzpatrick is another to be called up along with fellow prop Michael Bent, who is Ireland qualified through his maternal grandmother and has been playing regularly for Taranki in the provincial championship in New Zealand. Bent arrived in Ireland today and will link up with the Ireland squad for training tomorrow.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices