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Rugby Union

O'Driscoll hoping for luck of the Irish

05/02/2007

Ireland are hopeful that star man Brian O'Driscoll will shake off a hamstring before Sunday's crunch Six Nations tie with France.

The centre had a scan on his hamstring that revealed a minor strain but it is not as bad as first feared.

O'Driscoll pulled up in yesterday's 19-9 win over Wales and was substituted for Geordan Murphy five minutes from time.

The 28-year-old, who scored Ireland's second try against the Welsh, picked up the injury at the start of the second half.

He will undergo a rehabilitation programme this week and a further medical update will be made 24 hours before the France clash at Croke Park.

But Peter Stringer looks set to miss out against the French after suffering a hairline fracture to a bone in his right hand in yesterday's win at the Millennium Stadium.

The scrum-half, who will not train for the next few days, will be replaced in the starting line-up by Ulster star Isaac Boss if he fails to recover in time.

Meanwhile, Gordon D'Arcy and Denis Leamy are expected to shake off injuries for the tournament favourites.

Ulster duo Tommy Bowe and Bryan Young are among ten players brought into the Ireland squad as cover.

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