ANYONE THAT WAS part of the two standing ovations for Brian O’Driscoll when he left the field of play, against France, on Saturday must have experienced a sense of finality.
The supporter’s moods will not have been helped by the pictures of O’Driscoll’s tearful wife and daughter, and his lonely walk down the tunnel, that beheld them on Sunday morning.
News that the Leinster centre was being monitored for a possible concussion came as no great surprise; the 34-year-old threw himself into seven hefty tackles and countless breakdowns in the 13-13 draw.
There were positive signs, however, at Carton House today as O’Driscoll took a full part in Ireland training and betrayed no signs of battle fatigue.
The former captain ran drills on the pitch and completed a rigorous gym session with his Irish teammates this afternoon. He even found time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with young supporters that made the trip out to the Maynooth hotel to see their heroes.
Luke Marshall, The Dubliner’s centre partner against Scotland and France, also came through the sessions today. Marshall looks set for his third Ireland cap while O’Driscoll should make his 125th appearance for his country in Rome.
Tough guy
Sean O’Brien is certain that his Leinster and Ireland teammate will wear the 13 jersey on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.
O’Brien told TheScore.ie, “He’s grand. He trained today and there wasn’t a bother on him.”
The flanker dismissed the prospect of the Italy game being O’Driscoll’s international swansong.
“I wouldn’t think about that,” he said. “Brian is all about the squad and that has not been spoke about. As far as we’re aware he’s going to be playing next year.”
Mike McCarthy is one player that fervently hopes O’Driscoll will play 2013/14 – the lock has signed to play with Leinster next season.
McCarthy said, “He’s such an absolute legend, isn’t he? Tough guy.”
Asked for a favourite O’Driscoll moment, he commented, “There’s so many to pick out but maybe that one he scored against France [in 2009] would be one of the best. It’s tough to choose one.”
