Brian O’Driscoll is back in training

Published on 19/12/2012 00:37

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is back in training with Leinster following ankle surgery.

The 33-year-old missed the autumn internationals, but will now hope to be back in contention when his country begin their RBS Six Nations campaign against Wales on 2 February.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt confirmed O’Driscoll’s return and also offered encouraging news over two more Ireland ­internationals, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald.

Both backs also missed the autumn internationals, Kearney with a back injury while Fitzgerald has been out of action for much of this year with a neck problem.

“Brian is out there for his 
first onfield session and Rob Kearney is due out on the pitch next week,” Schmidt told the Irish Independent.

“Luke is back on the pitch a while and we’re looking at either the home game against Connacht at the RDS [Royal Dublin Showgrounds] on 29 December or for the Edinburgh match away at Murrayfield the following week.”

The trio’s availability for the Six Nations would be a huge boost to national team coach Declan Kidney, particularly with wing Tommy Bowe ruled out.

Ireland were also without forwards Paul O’Connell, Rory Best, Stephen Ferris and Sean O’Brien for the November series.