British and Irish Lions

O'Driscoll, tipped by many to be captain of the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand, will be aiming to get Ireland's quest for the Six Nations title off to a winning start when they travel to face Italy next Sunday.

The centre is one of no fewer than 11 Leinster players called up by Eddie O'Sullivan that could feature against the Dragons, and the Ireland coach will be hoping his key players emerge unscathed from the Celtic League encounter.

Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan, Leo Cullen, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Eric Miller and Malcolm O'Kelly are all expected to feature against the defending Celtic League champions.

Victor Costello is benched, having captained the side against Borders last week.

Assistant coach Graham Rowntree says The British & Irish Lions will have to be fully focussed to avoid a potential banana skin when they face The Barbarians a week today.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.