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PARIS - Brian O'Driscoll, it seems, is a victim of his own talent.
Throughout sporting history people have sometimes used foul means to prevent others from achieving success. And in this unfortuante phenomenon, it is the most talented who are the targets.
Brazilian football legend Pele was literally kicked out of the 1966 World Cup, with opponents wary of the damage he could cause with his skill, ability and influence.
Several teams tried unsuccessfully to kick Argentine star Diego Maradona out of the 1986 World Cup, before he went on to inspire his side to the title.
In 1994 figure skater Tonya Harding conspired to have rival Nancy Kerrigan attacked and injured to put her out of the US Championships, which Harding went on to win.
Fast forward to the 21st century and now Irish Rugby captain O'Driscoll has found himself, for the second time, the target of roughhouse tactics ahead of a major event.
The first time was during the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 when a spear-tackle from All Blacks Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu during the first minute of the first Test resulted in the Irishman dislocating his shoulder and missing the rest of the tour.
The Lions went on to play dismally and lose the series 3-0 with their smallest losing margin a massive 18 points.
And last weekend, less than three weeks before the start of the World Cup in France, O'Driscoll again found himself on the end of some bruising treatment.
In a friendly between Ireland and French club side Bayonne, Kiwi lock Mikaera Tewhata hit O'Driscoll with an unprovoked punch that fractured the Irish captain's sinus and mashed his cheekbone.
He will be out for three to four weeks and will definitely miss Ireland's opening World Cup game against Namibia and possibly their second against Georgia as well.
If there is one fillip to the sorry tale, it is that O'Driscoll should be back for the two crucial games in the group of death against hosts France and Argentina.
Although if omens are anything to go by, the England football team's decision to keep hold of their star player Wayne Rooney during the World Cup a year ago, despite him too beginning the tournament in recovery, certainly backfired.
When he finally joined the fray, Rooney was far from his brilliant best and England's chances went up in smoke when he showed his dark side and got sent-off in the quarter-finals against Portugal.
O'Driscoll certainly doesn't have Rooney's dark side and while unlikely to have disciplinary problems, Ireland cannot wait for him to ease himself back into top form.
If he is not firing on all cyclinders when facing France and Argentina, Ireland could be packing their bags and taking an early flight home.
At least their spirits are high, particularly with the news that O'Driscoll's injury was not as bad as first thought.
"There was a sense of concern after the game when everyone heard of Brian's injury. After all, he is the best centre in the world and a great asset to the Ireland team," said Geordan Murphy, the man who rose from the bench to replace O'Driscoll in the south of France after his run-in with Tewhata's fist.
"It was great news to hear afterward that the injury was not as bad as first feared. Everyone was pleased for him as he is a great guy to have around.
"He is a great character to have around the squad and everyone was really pleased for him that he is going to be back on the world stage pretty soon."
Ireland don't just need O'Driscoll back, though, they need him back to his best - and fast.
- AFP
