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.”
It wasn’t tongue in cheek though. Crook has has several discussions on his shows about this. Fair play to Ferguson for slapping that down the way he did
It was a question and he answered it perfectly. My god… the drama.
@IrishOwl: the same question he has answered a few times already.with crook been the “chief football correspondent” thought he would know the answer coming better than most.he was 100% been smart and trying make light of it now. Gobsh**t for talksh**t.
@Paully kells: think your a bitter man paulie. always angry. maybe open a beer and relax a bit.
We have had our fair share of English born players playing for Ireland, not to mention the hatred towards two current English internationals who were born and grew up in England. We had a CEO that wanted to be the 33rd team in a world cup. Don’t think we’re in any position to criticize these questions.
@Louise Murphy: he’s not bitter at all Lou, I enjoy Paullys comments here and on this occasion he is right. Mute him if it annoys you.
@Louise Murphy: not atal..but I’d say the young lad is getting rather sick of the same question over and over..he’s made it clear…take care
Why do the Sky sports commentators pronounce the foreign player’s names properly eg Henry or Pires , bit they don’t pay the irish player’s the same respect eg Moran, Kernaghan, Hourihane (though they do pronounce this name properly now since he took them up on it live on television)?
@Louis Jacob: Probably for the same reason Hollywood can’t do the Irish accent.
@Louis Jacob: bit they dont?
The Brits have such a polite way of being ignorant.
I suspect a lot of German fans would like to see Harry Kane line out for them. But the English wouldn’t take it too well if he was constantly pestered about it. Tin ear stuff really..
Crook-cheif football correspondent for talk sh**t he hasn’t much between the ears,and he knows damn well he was been disrespectful, well done to Evan with he’s reply put him into place.
The audacity of that question !!
Ignorant on so many levels. Ferguson is ineligible for England now. He doesn’t feel English at all. He is Irish and proud, born and bred here with an Irish father. Yes his mother is English but very disrespectful to be still asking him now.
Talk Sport is trash!
And Rice can’t remember singing come out you black and tans now
I’m all mixed up regarding the rules, does anyone actually know what they are?
You don’t hear them asking any of the English players why they are committed to England……..
A lit bit of English mischief to get some harmless revenge for the abuse Rice and Grealish got when they switched over.
@John Pembroke: deserved all the abuse they got, pair of shitehawks