Mick O’Driscoll replaces Johnny O’Connor on the Ireland bench for tomorrow’s Six Nations game with Scotland after the flanker picked up a groin injury in training today.

Secondrow O’Driscoll was unlucky to miss Eddie O’Sullivan’s initial match-day squad of 22 as he was deemed surplus to requirements once Paul O’Connell proved his fitness.

Had O’Connell been forced out because of his shoulder problem, the Munster player would - as he did against Wales - provide backup to both Malcolm O’Kelly and Donncha O’Callaghan from the bench.

Instead, he now benefits from O’Connor’s misfortune.