Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has promised his side will have recovered from their win over Australia by the time they meet Fiji at Lansdowne Road on Sunday. O’Driscoll made his debut as captain in the 18-9 victory, the first home win over the Wallabies since 1968. The Lions centre insists, however, that the players had restricted their celebrations with the Fiji game coming up.
“We were not out partying and it was back to business as usual immediately after getting a couple of days' rest. I have no doubt that this game will be a very physical one and I am sure we will wake up on Monday morning feeling a bit sore, not from any party but as a result of the game,” he said.
O'Driscoll was going to be rested for Sunday’s game, but was recalled to the squad after two days to replace Munster centre John Kelly who had suffered knee ligament damage playing on the wing against Australia.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: “John had two really good Tests in New Zealand. It was an opportunity to give John a run there. But, unfortunately John damaged his medial ligament on Saturday. The prognosis is that he could be out for two, three, or four weeks.
“Brian is the nearest guy we had at outside-centre who was available to us. Mike (Mullins) would have been in the frame but we just thought that, in the circumstances here, that he hasn't been involved in the camp. We have put a lot of work in together and we just wanted to keep the core of the thing together,” added O’Sullivan.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
