Leinster boss plays down O'Driscoll injury

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt says he expects Brian O'Driscoll to be fit to play for Ireland next month despite his recent injury.

The inspirational centre has only just returned for the European champions but was substituted off during the first-half of his side's win over the Cardiff Blues on Saturday.
Questions were immediately asked over whether or not he'll be fit to play for Ireland during the autumn internationals, as they prepare to take on South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
However, Schmidt has now revealed the veteran has only suffered a minor ankle sprain and was withdrawn in order to protect him ahead of the international fixtures.
"Brian sprained his ankle. He was going to play on," Schmidt told Leinster's official website. "In the end, we measured up the responsibilities that he has got coming up (with Ireland) and we replaced him. We don't think at this stage that it is too serious."