O’Driscoll comes through training, Moody doubtful

DUBLIN - Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll came safely through a tough training session with no ill effects on his damaged hamstring on Friday and has been pronounced fit to start their Six Nations clash with England.

Irish state radio reported that O'Driscoll was able to go through the full range of activities, despite the near-freezing temperatures at Lansdowne Road that are likely to be replicated on Sunday.

The injury news was not so positive for the world champions, however, as flanker Lewis Moody flew into Dublin a day after the rest of the squad but remains unlikely to recover from an infected finger in time to play.

O'Driscoll suffered his injury late in the opening game against Italy and, along with Gordon D'Arcy, missed the win over Scotland despite initially being named in the starting XV.

D'Arcy failed to progress quickly enough to be considered for Sunday's match but Ireland fans will breathe a huge sigh of relief that their captain and talisman looks to have fully recovered.

A year ago O'Driscoll lined up against England at Twickenham still struggling to find his best form after another hamstring problem but despite a mis-firing show by the centre, his team mates stepped up to the mark to record a famous 19-13 victory which ended England's 22-game unbeaten home run.

POOR GAME

"I had a poor game," he admitted this week. "But I would be pleased to perform like that if it meant we secured a similar result to last year. "

While the Irish camp is buzzing with two wins to their name and an eye on a first title for 20 years, England arrived in the country trying to avoid a landmark loss.

Defeat on Sunday would be the first time for 18 years they have lost three games in the championship.

They also lost the final game of the 2004 edition, in France, in a run that has now produced eight defeats in their last 11 games.

Coach Andy Robinson has been pointing out that the recent defeats have all been narrow, but he accepts it cannot go on.

"This is a must-win game, we are going there to get in their faces and play," he said.

Unfortunately for England, the player best-suited to upsetting Ireland's rhythm is the all-action openside Moody, who looks increasingly unlikely to play.

Moody cut his finger against France, suffered an infection in it after playing for Leicester last week and has spent much of the week having it treated with antibiotics.

Robinson will make a final selection decision on Saturday morning, with Andy Hazell standing by to start at number seven and Chris Jones stepping up to the bench.

Both are solid performers but with Robinson demanding more "blast" at the breakdown, much responsibility now falls on number eight Martin Corry and blindside Joe Worsley. Whatever the lineups, a ferocious contest is guaranteed, and the Irish public can hardly wait to see it.

They have watched from afar as their team gradually found their feet in Rome and Edinburgh and Sunday's match is vying with the health of the Pope as the number one topic of conversation in the city.

The local press has been running features on "great Irish victories over the English" while the usual tales of tickets changing hands on the internet for 1,000 euros abound.

Nevertheless, with Lansdowne Road due to be rebuilt after the tournament, the last game between the two nations at the dilapidated old stadium is developing into a never-to-be forgotten occasion.

- REUTERS