O’Driscoll and Hickie return to face France

Brian O’Driscoll and Denis Hickie have been named in the Ireland squad for the Six Nations clash against France on February 17th.

Centre O’Driscoll and wing Hickie both missed the opening-day win over Italy due to injury but have been passed fit for the French match at Lansdowne Road.

After consulting with team medical staff the selectors were assured O'Driscoll, who led Ireland to victory last year in Paris with a hat-trick of tries, had recovered enough from a shoulder injury while Hickie was deemed to be fit for action following a broken hand.

Mike Mullins and Shane Horgan are the players who have to make way despite both playing their parts in the 41-22 win in Rome last Saturday.

Ireland coach Warren Gatland has welcomed the return of two of his most inspirational players but sympathised with Mullins and Horgan.

"It is hard on the players who have been left out obviously and a player who is not selected is going to be disappointed but to have O'Driscoll and Hickie back is a huge boost for us," he told ireland.com.

O’Driscoll and Hickie will join the rest of the 22-man squad for a training session next Tuesday and should be available to be named in the starting 15 to face the French. The team will be announced later on the same afternoon.