Brian O'Driscoll has been confirmed as Ireland's captain for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship. O'Driscoll's indifferent form this season prompted calls for the Lions centre to be relieved of the leadership duties to enable him to focus on his own game. The Munster duo Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara had been touted as possible alternatives, but today the Ireland coach Declan Kidney insisted O'Driscoll remained the outstanding candidate. "I'm delighted that Brian has yet again agreed to lead the side in this year's championship," Kidney said. "He has the leadership qualities which are vital at this level and, along with the other leaders in the squad, will be important for the tournament ahead." Kidney revealed Ireland are in negotiations to stage a fourth international in the autumn and that a summer tour to Canada and the USA has also been agreed. Ireland will play Tests against both sides in late May, using players who have not been selected for the Lions tour to South Africa and who will not feature in the Heineken Cup final. An 'A' squad will be sent to the Churchill Cup, with a total of 60 players required for international duty this summer. "This plan for the year allows us to spread the net across a greater number of players and to get to know them in the best way possible," Kidney added. "With a total of 14 games that the national management will be involved in this year, it serves two purposes. "Firstly, it will give us the chance to work with players who may be just below the more established members of the squad in a pressure situation. "Secondly, it gives them the exposure which is important for their development at the highest level." Australia, Fiji and South Africa are Ireland's confirmed opponents in November with the extra fixture, yet to be finalised, taking place on the weekend of November 7-8. *PA Sport
It could be an all-Ireland semi-final in the Heineken Cup if Munster and Leinster can negotiate their way around the Ospreys and Harlequins respectively. Cardiff or Toulouse with play the winners of the tie of the quarter-finals, the old English club rivals Bath and Leicester. Quarter-final matches will be played on April 10/11/12. The semi-finals will be on May 2/3. sport@thenational.ae