Rugby:Brian O'Driscoll is upbeat about his chances of taking part in Saturday's Heineken Cup final after undergoing keyhole surgery to his right knee last Friday. The Leinster and Ireland centre missed the weekend's game against the Glasgow Warriors.
He admitted: "The injury is good. I'm feeling good. It was just a niggle I had last week. The week that's in it, I'm just looking forward to getting back. I probably won't train fully until Thursday. Listen, you pull out all the stops when it's Heineken Cup final week."
So do you expect to play on Saturday? "I do." The injury prognosis amongst the rest of the walking wounded, Gordon D'Arcy, Rob Kearney and Cian Healy is positive but unfortunately for Eoin O'Malley, a scan confirmed torn cruciate knee ligaments that will keep him sidelined for six months.
Leinster forwards' coach Jono Gibbes explained: "Gordon (D'Arcy) just got split open; he's pretty good, got a couple of stitches in there. He's in good form. Healy is fine, little bit of a sore ankle but nothing too major. We may have been able to push Rob to play on the weekend but it was just a bit of caution with him and he should be fine this week."
In the case of the O'Malley, Gibbes confirmed: "Unfortunately, the news if pretty bad. He has done his right cruciate and he is looking at a long-term rehab of about six months. We really feel for him."
A final decision regarding their selection will be made by coach, Joe Schmidt on Thursday evening ahead of Friday's midday team announcement. O'Driscoll lies one try behind Vincent Clerc's competition record of 32, while his provincial and international midfield colleague D'Arcy is just one game shy of becoming the joint fifth appearance record holder in European rugby.
Meanwhile for those flying with Ryanair to London for the match it should be noted that their website will be down from 4.0pm on Friday until 12.0 midday on Sunday so passengers will be unable to print their boarding cards during that time. Anyone who doesn't do so will pay the price at the airport.
