O’Driscoll, Best out of internationals

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll and Rory Best have both been ruled out of the upcoming November internationals against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

O’Driscoll sustained an ankle injury in Leinster’s RaboDirect PRO12 win over Cardiff Blues but it was thought he would be available for the opening match of the Guinness Series against South Africa on November 10.

However, further scans have determined the Ireland skipper will need to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage, ruling out O’Driscoll from playing for 8-12 weeks.

Best, meanwhile, has been ruled out as a result of the neck injury he sustained in Ulster’s game against the Newport Gwent Dragons last weekend.

The hooker was found to have sprained ligaments in his next and he will need at least four to six weeks on the sidelines before he is ready to make his return.