O’Driscoll Future Unsure While O’Connell Is A Worry For Autumn Fixtures
By Aidan Begley

Brian O’Driscoll

Irish rugby officials are battling to prevent Brian O’Driscoll from moving to France when his current contract with Leinster ends next June.
Ireland captain O’Driscoll, 26, was in the crowd as Biarritz took on Stade Francais recently, fuelling speculation that the centre may be heading for European rugby.
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) are determined to keep their captain playing his rugby in Ireland for Leinster and are currently in talks with the star regarding a new deal.
"We shall do all everything we can to ensure Brian is not lost to the game in Ireland," the IRFU said.
“The IRFU is committed to a policy of keeping all its top players in Ireland and O'Driscoll falls into that category."
Rumour has it that O’Driscoll is keen to take up a fresh challenge, and when he was interviewed during Biarritz’s game by French television he made this clear.
"I have never hidden the fact that, at some stage, I would like to play in France. Would I want to play here? Why not? I like the Biarritz brand of rugby, I like the place and I like the atmosphere.
"I will have to make a decision next summer and when I do so, it will be for lifestyle reasons, not just financial ones."
O’Driscoll is currently recovering from shoulder surgery following the injury he picked up during the opening seconds of the first Lions test match in June and will not play in the upcoming autumn internationals.
Lock Paul O’Connell is an injury worry ahead of the games against Australia, New Zealand and Romania in November after suffering a thumb injury in his seasonal debut for Llanelli last month.
Initial reports have said the 25-year-old Munsterman will be out for six weeks, and he’s set to miss a handful of Celtic league games and some Heineken cup games including against Sale (October 21) and Castres (October 28), giving him two weeks to prove his fitness.
Ireland face New Zealand on 12 November and take on Australia and Romania over the following two weekends and should O’Connell miss out, his place is likely to be filled by fellow Lion Donnacha O’Callaghan.
For the latest news about Ireland ahead of the Autumn rugby internationals, see next month’s copy of The Harp.