Injured O'Driscoll and D'Arcy named in Ireland team

DUBLIN - Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll and centre partner Gordon D'Arcy were named on Tuesday in the side to face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday despite suffering from hamstring injuries.

The inclusion of the pair, who both limped off during the 28-17 victory in Italy on Sunday, would be a huge boost for Ireland as they attempt to keep their championship ambitions on course at Murrayfield.

"Brian and Gordon came through their scans last night, and it looks as if things aren't as bad as we originally thought," coach Eddie O'Sullivan told reporters.

"We'll just have see how they progress over the next few days, and then we'll be in a position to make a decision."

The Leinster duo -- widely touted as a possible British and Irish Lions midfield pairing for the tour of New Zealand later this year -- are hugely important to Ireland's bid to win their first championship for 20 years.

Winger Shane Horgan could be switched to centre, where he has played for Ireland and Leinster, and O'Sullivan also has the option of calling up Ulster's Kevin Maggs.

Ireland have made only one change to the side which laboured to victory over Italy, with Johnny O'Connor of Wasps replacing Munster's Denis Leamy at openside flanker.

"I had always had Johnny in mind for Scotland -- we need a real groundhog and Johnny is exactly that," said O'Sullivan.

"Denis had a solid game against Italy, but he didn't make the impact he would have liked to."

Lock Malcolm O'Kelly will win a record 70th cap in Edinburgh, after equalling Mike Gibson's 69 appearances in an Irish shirt in Rome.

Team - Ireland: 15-Geordan Murphy; 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Denis Hickie; 10-Ronan O'Gara, 9-Peter Stringer; 8-Anthony Foley, 7-Johnny O'Connor, 6-Simon Easterby, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Malcolm O'Kelly, 3-John Hayes, 2-Shane Byrne, 1-Reggie Corrigan

Replacements: 16-Frankie Sheahan, 17-Marcus Horan, 18-Donncha O'Callaghan, 19-Eric Miller, 20-Guy Easterby, 21-David Humphreys, 22-Girvan Dempsey

- REUTERS