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O'Driscoll has been doing 80% of the team's training according to the Irish management. INPHO/Kieran Murray
Fitness Battle

O'Driscoll to miss two warm-up matches, as Irish injuries pile up

D’Arcy and Ferris are also doubtful for all four of the World Cup warm-up games.

THERE WAS BOTH good and bad news in the Irish training camp today, as captain Brian O’Driscoll headed the list of injured players.

It was also announced that Gordon D’Arcy (ankle) and Stephen Ferris (knee) may not participate in any of the warm-up matches, or the tournament itself.

However, others such as Jerry Flannery, Geordan Murphy and Rob Kearney have recovered well, and should be available for Ireland’s game against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

However, O’Driscoll’s absence for at least two warm-up games has overshadowed these plus points, with the Leinster player suffering from a shoulder injury.

In relation to this news, Ireland manager Paul McNaughton told reporters:

“He’s been doing 80% of the work over the last two weeks. I’m not too concerned about him. He’s got a problem with his shoulder/neck and he’s been getting some traction on it. But, as I said, he’s making progress. He’s doing everything except contact up to this week.”

The player, who has scored a record 44 tries for his country, will be crucial to Irish hopes if fit for the competition.

It was also confirmed that missing all four warm-up games would not necessarily rule D’Arcy or Ferris out from their World Cup plans, as the duo look to make the final squad for the main event in September.

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