Brian O'Driscoll day at Carton House. This being his last Six Nations, and considering he won't be doing any media next week, the Warren Gatland issue reared its head once again.
O'Driscoll was infamously dropped from Gatland's match day 23 for the third British and Irish Lions test against Australia last July.
It’s old ground, at this stage, and O’Driscoll wasn’t interested in reopening the debate about a Six Nations coach taking a sabbatical to lead the Lions.
“What happened, happened,” said O’Driscoll today. “No one can change it. I have no ill-will towards Warren.
“It was raw afterwards. Time does heal all wounds.”
The future rather than the past was next up and O’Driscoll ruled out a move into coaching in the immediate aftermath of retirement this summer.
“The coaching thing doesn’t really float my boat.”
“Before Christmas I started thinking too much about the afterlife and there is no rush, you know?
"I'll just enjoy this Six Nations and the knockout parts of the Heineken Cup, not see out the remainder of the season but try and win some silverware. When it's all done and dusted and the boots are hung up there will be plenty of time to think about the next plan in life.
“I don’t want to look back in a year’s time and regret not having given this time everything. That’s why I am focused solely on my rugby. All other thoughts are on the back burner.”
A fully fit Ireland squad trained today with Jonathan Sexton's stitched head not hindering his involvement.
"Johnny obviously got a bang playing against Toulouse but he is in very good form, absolutely fine, no problem whatsoever," said team manager Mick Kearney.
Peter O’Mahony, Gordon D’Arcy and Eoin Reddan have recovered from knocks, while Tommy Bowe (groin operation) and Donnacha Ryan (knee ligaments) are targeting the Pro 12 fixtures next weekend.
Keith Earls (knee, 6-8 weeks) and Seán O’Brien (shoulder, 4 months) will not be available for the entire tournament.
Regarding Friday’s team selection, the secondrow replacement is between Mike McCarthy, Dan Tuohy and Iain Henderson. The versatility of Henderson would allow coach Joe Schmidt to have a specialist openside flanker, probably Tommy O’Donnell in reserve with Chris Henry starting.
However, a specialist lock on the bench means Rhys Ruddock becomes the favourite to be named as backrow cover.
Fergus McFadden is pushing Dave Kearney for the right wing slot, while D’Arcy must fend off Luke Marshall at inside centre.
