RUGBY !!!

Wounded in action








Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll charges for the line, holding off the challenge of Italy's Gonzalo Canale, during yesterday's Six Nations clash in Rome. Picture: Brian Lawless/Sportsfile



O'Driscoll, D'Arcy injured in patchy Italian job

THE return from Rome today will be more of a retreat rather than a victory march as the Irish lost two key players, and almost their way, in the opening Six Nations skirmish.

Outplayed, outfought and out-thought for large chunks of a scrappy duel, Ireland eventually chiselled out a 28-17 win at a considerable price - Gordon D'Arcy is ruled out for the clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, and probably longer, with a hamstring tear.

In addition, inspirational captain Brian O'Driscoll is a major doubt for the Edinburgh assignment with a similar problem, the extent of which won't be known until today.

Predictably, the injuries overshadowed the post-match analysis and O'Sullivan, who knows a thing or two about hamstrings from his own playing days, confirmed the worst fears about D'Arcy's fitness.

"I'm happy with the victory but seriously concerned about the injuries," acknowledged O'Sullivan last night.

"Gordon (D'Arcy) felt his go when running in support so it appears straightforward enough. He'll definitely be out for a while.

"With Brian (O'Driscoll) we're not so sure although worryingly it is in the same area. We'll have a better idea about his chances of playing next Saturday in the next 24 hours or so."

Both will be examined upon returning to Dublin later today with O'Sullivan due to select his team for Murrayfield this evening.

If medical opinion suggests delaying selection then given the importance of the player in question - namely, the talismanic O'Driscoll - have little doubt that O'Sullivan will press the pause button.

To lose one of the most talented centre pairing in the world would be careless, to lose both in the one match is unfortunate.

If the worst-case scenario is confirmed then Shane Horgan, Kevin Maggs and Rob Henderson will all come into midfield contention with Girvan Dempsey, Shaun Payne, Tommy Bowe and Tyrone Howe entering the equation on the wing,

"We're pleased to win the game," said O'Sullivan, keen to stress the positive.

"Italy played really well. They dominated possession in the first half but we got three scoring chances in that time and we took advantage of two of them.
"We struggled to clear our lines at times and I think we struggled with the lighter ball.

"But we got more possession in the second-half, we managed to maintain a better field position.

"We knew it would take 70 minutes or so to wear Italy down and that's what it came down to in the end," he added. Italy coach John Kirwan saluted his blue-clad heroes.

"I asked that we play at the same level as the other teams in the tournament and I think we did that today. We played very well," he said.

"Eddie O'Sullivan paid us a lot of compliments in the build-up to the match and today was a very good for experience - we matched Ireland and now we must start thinking about Wales.

"I'm disappointed by the final result but not by the performance," he added.

For Ireland, the emotions were very much reversed.

Now, the task is for O'Sullivan, and his staff, to ensure both the result and performance are in harmony for Saturday - with or without the blue-chip star O'Driscoll.

Tony Ward