Ireland blow
as O’Driscoll is ruled out

The centre requires surgery after damaging a ligament while on Leinster duty against Cardiff Blues last Saturday.

In a further blow to Ireland’s hopes in their Guinness Series against South Africa, Fiji and 
Argentina, hooker Rory Best will also be missing because of a neck injury. The Ulster front-rower sprained his neck ligaments against the Dragons last Friday and faces up to six weeks of 
rehabilitation.

But 33-year-old O’Driscoll, who is in the final year of his contract with the IRFU, is cause for most concern.

Already stretched by the loss of Rob Kearney to a back problem, head coach Declan Kidney must re-examine his plans for the backline. Keith Earls was a candidate to replace Kearney but O’Driscoll’s absence is likely to see him moved to outside centre.

That leaves winger Tommy Bowe or Felix Jones, who is short of game time after recently 
returning from injury, as the 
options for the No 15 jersey.

Lions skipper Paul O’Connell will take the captaincy and it will be hoped he avoids injury given that Best is third choice for the leadership duties.

Best’s unavailability creates a chance for Leinster hooker 
Richardt Strauss.

Strauss, born and raised in South Africa but uncapped by the Springboks, qualifies for 
Ireland on residency grounds this month, having represented Leinster since 2009.