Writing in The Guardian, Brendan Fanning believes Ireland can weather the loss of talisman Brian O'Driscoll as they prepare to launch their latest assault on the Six Nations crown.
"Ireland are about to start their first Six Nations campaign without Brian O'Driscoll. After 12 successive seasons of having him around for most of the time since his championship debut against England in 2000, they are now looking at five games with no input whatsoever from their greatest player. And they will be relieved that it has happened now, and not three seasons ago.
"When you consider the amount of punishment O'Driscoll has taken since his international start in Brisbane in 1999, it is remarkable that at least one season has not been written off since then. Even after his shoulder repair, having dislocated it with the Lions in New Zealand in 2005, he was back on duty the following February. Twelve seasons, and only five Championship games missed."
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