LEINSTER HEAD COACH Matt O’Connor says Brian O’Driscoll was substituted in the second half of the province’s 22-18 win over Munster this evening due to a “bang on the neck.”
The outside centre looked to be in discomfort as he was escorted off the pitch at the Aviva Stadium in 67th minute, but O’Connor rejected the notion that O’Driscoll had been dazed.
“He was over the ball, just got his neck twisted. He’ll be fine… He’s just a bit tight in there. He got a bit of a bang on it in training, but the medics are pretty confident that he’ll be fine.”
Otherwise, the Australian was pleased to report that his team has not suffered further injury problems, with just over a week to go until they face Toulon in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals at Stade Mayol.
“Not too bad for a game of that intensity,” O’Connor commented, after claiming that he believes O’Driscoll will be ready for the visit to Toulon.
Munster concerns
From a Munster point of view, losing Peter O’Mahony before the game was an obvious early blow, with Penney confirming that the looming quarter-final with Toulouse next Saturday was part of the decision not to play the flanker.
He’s just had an ongoing thing with his hamstring through the Six Nations. I don’t think it’s anything too major, but once he mentioned that he was starting to feel that, we decided not to risk him.”
Will he be ok for the clash with Toulouse?
“Yeah, he should be.”
Damien Varley was hauled ashore in the 59th minute, and appeared to be in some pain. The hooker admitted to as much following the game, but is expectant of playing his part in the clash at Thomond Park next weekend.
“I just kind of twisted my foot, just got a bit of a twinge. I’ve had a bit of an issue with the sole of my foot for the last number of months. It’s an ongoing issue, so it’s probably just a bit precautionary. I came off a bit early, just in preparation for next week.”
