Ireland are sweating on the fitness of captain Brian O'Driscoll after the Leinster centre suffered a hamstring injury in yesterday's 19-9 victory over Wales.

O'Driscoll limped off in the 75th minute of Ireland's Six Nations opener in Cardiff and is a doubt for Sunday's clash with France in Dublin.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan hopes to receive an update on his condition today and will give the captain every chance to prove his availability for the Croke Park showdown.

"Brian was chasing when Ronan O'Gara made that break and he felt a twinge," he said. "He tried to run it out but it was still there and near the end it bothered him again.

"If he stayed on he could have damaged it more but we'll know more about it today. He went straight into rehab.

"The worry was that if we left Brian on he might do serious damage to his hamstring that could have put him out of the rest of the championship.

"I'm not saying he's available for France but there's a much better chance now that we took him off at the right time. But he's definitely a doubt."

O'Driscoll's midfield partner Gordon D'Arcy sustained a groin problem early in the game but played on until the final whistle.

He was the pick of Ireland's players, deservedly winning the man of the match award, and he eased O'Sullivan's concerns over his fitness.

"My groin is okay. I was able to play on and that's usually a good sign," said D'Arcy.