RUGBY:IT WAS confirmed yesterday that Brian O'Driscoll will miss the rest of the Six Nations Championship, although his hamstring injury is not as severe as previously thought. There is just one match remaining against England in Twickenham on Saturday.

O'Driscoll was helped off the field at Croke Park at the weekend in the second half of Ireland's match against Wales. The Irish captain's ill-fortune follows the departure of his international colleague and centre partner, Gordon D'Arcy, a few weeks before with a fractured arm.

The scan on his damaged hamstring indicated that O'Driscoll could be back in action after a month off.

That positive prognosis means that he will be available for Leinster as they close to their Magners Celtic League campaign. The province top the table, and their last match, away to the Dragons in Wales, is scheduled for the weekend of May 9th-11th.

In a statement, the Irish management confirmed that the player could be back in less than four weeks.

"A scan on Brian O'Driscoll's left hamstring this afternoon (Monday) has confirmed the presence of a moderate tear. The injury is not as bad as was first feared and it is expected that this will prevent him from playing for a period of three to four weeks," said the statement.

The vacancy in the centre leaves Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan with a number of decisions to make regarding the composition of his back line against England. Shane Horgan moved from the wing to cover for the injured O'Driscoll against Wales, with Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald coming off the bench to play a successful cameo role on the left flank.

In addition, Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy may also come back into contention following their week's rehabilitation on respective hip and Achilles heel injuries.

If either Murphy or Dempsey returns to the fullback position, then Rob Kearney, who made his international debut at 15 last Saturday, will also have to be accommodated.

Meanwhile, Connacht have secured the services of three frontrow players, who yesterday pledged their future to the province.

Ireland A hooker Adrian Flavin, former English international Robbie Morris and former Irish under-21 prop Ronan Loughney have signed two-year contract extensions.

Coach Michael Bradley has also signed former Irish under-21 international hooker Sean Cronin, who moves to Galway from Munster.