O'Driscoll ready for Ireland opener but Azzurri suffer Bortolami blow

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O'Driscoll was forced off during Leinster's Heineken Cup clash with Leicester at the weekend with an ankle injury, but trained today with the rest of the team. Paul O'Connell (back) and Jonathan Sexton (broken thumb) will miss out for Eddie O'Sullivan's side.

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Boost: Brian O'Driscoll is fit for Ireland's opening Six Nations match

O'Connell is waiting to discover whether he must undergo surgery, which would rule him out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile Italy lock Marco Bortolami is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with an eye injury.

Bortolami suffered an injury to his left eye during last weekend's 29-21 victory over Munster in the Heineken Cup and further tests carried out in Rome confirmed the Gloucester captain has fractured two bones in his orbital zone.

"Bortolami is on his way to Milan to have further check-ups to evaluate if he needs to undergo surgery," Andrea Cimbrico, Italy Rugby Federation's press officer, said.

"Due to the delicate position of the fractures, it is expected that he will be out of action between four to six weeks."

Italy coach Nick Mallett will have to do without the experienced Bortolami for the RBS Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 2 as well as the home game against England eight days later.

The former Italy captain could return in time to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on February 23.