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Ireland waiting on talisman O'Driscoll

Ireland head into today's Six Nations clash against Scotland with uncertainty surrounding the composition of their back division; the Scots are merely uncertain as to how their backs will play.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, a man for whom the word "talismanic" might have been invented, faced a fitness test in Dublin yesterday on a tight calf muscle.

It is a similar story for fullback Girvan Dempsey, a provincial colleague of Leinster center O'Driscoll, who is doubtful after sustaining a knock to his hip during training on Thursday.

If O'Driscoll is ruled out the experienced Shane Horgan can be promoted off the bench.

More intriguing is the prospect of Geordan Murphy stepping in at fullback in Dempsey's place.

The other change to the starting line-up from the side that fought back from 19-6 down at halftime in Paris sees lock Mick O'Driscoll, who impressed after coming off the bench at the Stade de France, replace Malcolm O'Kelly while the previously injured Paul O'Connell is now among the replacements.

Scotland's current plight can be summed up by the fact that while France wing Vincent Clerc has scored five tries in two games, they've managed just one in their last five.
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