O’Driscoll’s surgery on ankle today

Published on 01/11/2012 00:00

IRELAND star Brian O’Driscoll underwent surgery yesterday on the ankle ligament trouble that has sidelined him for his country’s autumn Tests.

O’Driscoll, full-back Rob Kearney and hooker Rory Best will all miss forthcoming games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina because of injuries.

And, with lock Paul O’Connell’s training currently restricted, it could be that 
coach Declan Kidney will 
require a new skipper for the 10 November appointment with South Africa in Dublin.

“We will assess all that now,” Kidney told www.irishrugby.ie. “Paul [O’Connell] has his own niggles with his back. He was hoping to get a bit of pitch-time this weekend. Captain can be an onerous position.

“We will let him recover first, we will look after the person first and then see what is right for the team.”

Jamie Heaslip, the No 8, could emerge as the captaincy 
favourite if O’Connell is out.

Assessing O’Driscoll’s situation, Kidney added: “You just don’t hold back on these things. If it [surgery] needs to be done, you get it done, and we are very lucky with the medical back-up that we have.

“The prognosis for him is eight to 12 weeks.”