O'Driscoll set for return

O'Driscoll: Errors cost us O'Sullivan proud of Irish

Brian O'Driscoll is ready to make his Six Nations return against Wales next weekend as Ireland attempt to recover from Saturday's defeat by France.

O'Driscoll was ruled out of the Paris match because of a hamstring injury but coach Eddie O'Sullivan expects to have his captain back for Sunday's game.

"He's had five days of rehab since he cried off on Tuesday," said O'Sullivan following the 35-17 defeat in Paris.

"He was chomping at the bit but he just wasn't right. I'm very hopeful."

O'Driscoll told BBC Sport: "Hopefully, I will be ready for next Sunday's game against Wales in Dublin.

"I am certainly confident. The injury has progressed well again this week. I am working hard and my fingers are crossed that I will be ready.

O'Sullivan added: "I've learnt from experience that you can get a player with this type of injury 90% fit in five days - and then it takes another five days to get that last 10%.

"It's going to be tight but it's looking good."

If fit O'Driscoll will be restored to outside centre, but it would be a big call to drop Gordon D'Arcy who marked his first start for Ireland with a lively display.

O'Sullivan may try to try to accommodate D'Arcy somewhere in the back line, with one of the wingers or full-back Girvan Dempsey making way.

Paul O'Connell produced a colossal contribution in his first outing as skipper but O'Driscoll, if fit, will resume the captaincy against Wales.

O'Connell said he had relished his leadership duties despite the defeat.

"It's not going to be the day that Paul O'Connell led the Irish team to victory in Paris, and that's a shame," he said.

"But at the same time we didn't perform badly. The ball seemed to bounce their way."