Ireland's O'Driscoll out of France game

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2004

DUBLIN (AFP) — Top centre and skipper Brian O'Driscoll has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Saturday with lock Paul O'Connell taking over as captain in his 16th Test match.

O'Driscoll, who had been chosen to succeed retired hooker Keith Wood as skipper after the World Cup, has been struggling with a hamstring injury and his withdrawal had been expected.

But it worsens the problems for coach Eddie O'Sullivan who has already lost through injuries winger Denis Hickie, prop Marcus Horan, flankers Eric Miller and Alan Quinlan, and full-back Geordan Murphy.

O'Driscoll is replaced at outside centre by 23-year-old Gordon Darcy, who is selected in the Six Nations for the first time.

His previous five caps were earned...