Friday is D-Day for BOD

Editor

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is facing a Friday fitness test ahead of the Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is facing a Friday fitness test ahead of the Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.

The Leinster centre complained of a tight calf during training earlier in the week and was rated a slight doubt for the Croke Park showdown.

The 29-year-old completed a practice session on Thursday and showed no reaction to the problem, but Ireland must wait until Friday to be certain that their skipper is available.

Girvan Dempsey has joined O'Driscoll in the treatment room, after taking a knock to his left hip in training.

Leicester's Geordan Murphy, initially dropped from the 22 following a poor display in the 26-21 defeat by France, is on stand-by.

Dempsey will also undergo a fitness test on Friday – with Murphy, who had been selected for Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Sale, ready to come in at full-back if he fails to get the green light.

Munster prop Tony Buckley has passed a fitness test on his thumb injury and will start on the bench.